Liverpool has big Ibrahima Konate decision to make after Marc Guehi transfer nightmare

Ibrahima Konate's contract situation has become pressing for Liverpool after Manchester City had a bid accepted for Marc Guehi, who was on his way to Anfield in the summer

Ibrahima Konate is a free agent in the summer(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Ibrahima Konate's future at Liverpool has been thrown into sharp focus following Manchester City's accepted bid for Marc Guehi. The 26 year old Konate has now entered the final six months of his contract at Anfield.

The Frenchman was previously linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid, though the La Liga giants have gone quiet on that front recently. Liverpool currently have just four recognized centre-backs in their squad, one of whom, Giovanni Leoni, sustained a season-ending injury on his debut.

This shortage of options prompted Liverpool to agree a deal with Crystal Palace for Guehi back in September. The England international appeared set to join the Reds until Palace withdrew from the deal at the eleventh hour.

Guehi's future now appears to lie in Manchester. With his own contract expiring in June and Palace keen to secure a fee, they have reluctantly accepted a bid from City worth up to $40 million (£30 million).

With Guehi now definitively unavailable, Liverpool's need to resolve Konate's situation has become more pressing. Slot has continued to back the former RB Leipzig defender, despite his largely unconvincing displays since the start of the campaign, reports the Mirror.

"Unfortunately for him, he does a lot of things well, but he has been a bit too much at the crime scene, that is something I've heard people saying before in England," Slot recently acknowledged.

"So that means that he's been involved in goals we've conceded, but if you are a centre-back that happens in football."

In November, Konate described his contract situation as 'complicated'. "It's clear we think about it," he told French broadcaster Telefoot.

Marc Guehi is heading for the Etihad(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

"But what's complicated is that we can't say everything because there's a lot of things being said in the media. Sometimes I see things and I'm like, 'oh la la', and it gets me into trouble with the Liverpool fans even though they don't know all the ins and outs.

"Anyway, I hope and I know that in any case the most important thing is that I'm happy. We'll see (if an announcement is made soon), we will see. In any case we hope so. ".

Since 1 January, Konate has been eligible to agree a pre-contract with foreign clubs. Paris Saint-Germain have been mooted as a potential destination, which would see the defender return to his hometown.

For the time being, the 26 year old will be keen to let his football do the talking. Liverpool welcome Burnley on Saturday, with Konate expected to feature in the starting line-up.