Journalist confirms Liverpool star's final exit decision after Arne Slot sack | OneFootball

A prominent journalist has confirmed what one Liverpool star will now do after Arne Slot was sacked.

Arne Slot has left Liverpool and the Reds are moving towards a new head coach. It's a dramatic change - reports had been insistent that Slot would be given next season to turn things around.

Liverpool, however, have decided this can't go on. Slot is gone and the Reds start anew.

So what does that mean for exiting players? Several decided to call it a day at Liverpool, finding new clubs for the upcoming season. One of those is Ibrahima Konate, who ended talks with the Reds just this week.

Could Konate change his mind and commit to Liverpool under a new head coach?

French journalist Fabrice Hawkins confirms that won't happen and that the centre-back will still be leaving the club this summer. Konate has announced his exit to his teammates and will not be changing his mind.

It remains a blow, though the chances of Konate doing a U-turn were always slim. It was never believed that his decision to leave was particularly tied to Slot and the way the club was heading on the pitch.

The Dutchman's departure changes little, then. Konate is still off, though without the goodbye he probably should have gotten.

Liverpool Campaign and Stats

As of 31 May 2026, Ibrahima Konaté has concluded his fifth domestic campaign with Liverpool. The 27-year-old French centre-back was a heavily relied-upon figure in the Reds' backline during a turbulent season, racking up 51 appearances across all competitions. Konaté scored two goals and clocked substantial minutes to anchor the defence, bowing out in a 1–1 draw against Brentford on 24 May. Despite his consistency, Liverpool endured a disappointing Premier League finish, missing out on the top four.

Free Agency Bombshell and Suitors

A major transfer u-turn has rocked Anfield ahead of the summer window. Despite advanced contract talks and positive player indications in April, negotiations have completely broken down. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Konaté has informed his teammates he will leave Liverpool as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of June. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as early frontrunners to land the coveted defender.