1 week ago
82
This time last year, it was Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Now, Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate is inside the final year of his contract.
For that reason, rumors and speculation about his future are inevitable. And Real Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano, is "working on" a deal that would see Konate move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer in the summer of 2026.
That would, of course, be a repeat of the La Liga giant's deal for Alexander-Arnold, though it did, in the end, pay a fee to sign the former Liverpool vice-captain early so that he could play in the Club World Cup.
Konate has been the subject of speculation for some time now. Not only has Real Madrid been linked, but PSG too. Defensa Central even said this weekend that he could be part of a swap deal involving Rodrygo, though that seems fanciful.
Either way, it doesn't feel like there will be a quick resolution to the Konate situation. Liverpool is already light at the back having sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, and though Van Dijk is now tied down until 2027, three senior options in defense isn't enough.
Before the summer window ends, Liverpool would ideally bring in another center-back — with one option being Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace — while keeping Konate. Losing the Frenchman sometime soon would be a major blow.
Konate, 26, confirmed back in January that he had been offered a new deal by Liverpool. However, when he was then asked if he was close to signing it, he responded: "That’s another conversation!"
Reports then emerged that Konate was close to signing new terms. "Who talked about that a few months ago?" Konate said. "The club didn’t say anything, I didn’t say anything.
"It’s one person that said that. I didn’t know, after I spoke with the club but I think I am really focused on what happens now. We will see what will happen."
Talks have been held with Konate's representatives but nothing has been agreed or confirmed yet. And with Real Madrid lingering, Liverpool fans will have some concerns.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake," Konate said at the end of last season, responding to more speculation over his future. "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) ·