3 weeks ago
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Liverpool has reportedly submitted an improved contract offer to Ibrahima Konate in a bid to keep him from leaving the club on a free transfer in a year's time.
Konate's current Reds deal is due to expire in June 2026, and Real Madrid is said to be interested in making him its next high-profile free signing.
Madrid has signed a number of high-profile players on free agents in recent years, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba. Trent Alexander-Arnold would also have joined the Spanish giant on a free transfer had Madrid not offered Liverpool a generous fee to force the move through a few weeks early, owing to its desire to have Alexander-Arnold on board for the Club World Cup.
Of course, the approximate $12 million fee that Liverpool received for Alexander-Arnold was far lower than his actual value, and the Reds are keen to avoid a repeat situation playing out with Konate next year.
French outlet Foot Mercato says that Konate has not yet responded to Liverpool's offer of a new deal, and the terms of the deal are not disclosed in the report, but it is said that Madrid is a destination that "inspires him."
It is suggested that the new offer is an improvement on what Konate has already been offered, with Liverpool having been trapped in a standoff with the defender for some time now.
The 26-year-old is currently in Hong Kong with the Reds as they continue their pre-season preparations, with a friendly against AC Milan next up on Saturday.
Despite the ongoing struggles to strike a new deal, Liverpool journalist David Lynch has claimed Konate’s priority is to renew his contract at Anfield.
The French international has also received interest from Saudi Arabia, with reports earlier this month even suggesting he had turned down a lucrative offer to move the Middle East.
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Addressing speculation over his future earlier this year, Konate said: "You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake,. I didn't even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
"The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end... I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: 'Ah, they have more information than me!?'
"It was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment.
"I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen."
English (US) ·