Liverpool star 'closer than ever' to new contract amid transfer rumours

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Evening Standard

·6 April 2026

Liverpool star 'closer than ever' to new contract amid transfer rumours

Defender is out of contract at end of the season

Ibrahima Konate is closing in on a new deal at Liverpool, according to reports.

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The French centre-back is out of contract on Merseyside this summer, and there have been plenty of rumours about where the 26-year-old could end up should he leave Anfield.

Now, however, L’Equipe in France claim that the defender is “never been closer” to a new contract, with Reds boss Arne Slot confirming previously that discussions had begun over fresh terms for the centre-half, with “only a few details left to iron out”.

Konate has been a near ever-present for Liverpool this term, with Slot having to contend with an injury crisis, particularly at the back.

The Frenchman has continued his partnership with Virgil van Dijk, although the Reds’ title defence has been underwhelming, as they lie in fifth place in the Premier League, battling for Champions League qualification.

They were dealt a further blow - dubbed the worst defeat of Slot’s tenure - over Easter weekend when they were drubbed 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Liverpool must pick themselves up quickly as they travel to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last eight this week, and news that Konate is moving closer to committing his future to the club could come as a welcome boost.

This season, Konate has played 37 games in all competitions, with 29 of those coming in the Premier League.

After their trip to the French capital, Liverpool return to league action where they take on Fulham at Anfield before they welcome Paris to Merseyside for the reverse fixture.