Journalist: Liverpool Have ‘Strange Feeling’ Over Ibrahima Konate’s Contract Situation | OneFootball

Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate and Real Madrid: Contract Talks Enter Crucial Phase

Fresh from a Premier League title under Arne Slot, Liverpool find themselves grappling with a familiar, unwelcome subplot: contract uncertainty surrounding one of their defensive stalwarts. Ibrahima Konate, now a key cog in the Reds’ backline, remains locked in a standoff with club executives over an extension to his current deal — one set to expire in June 2026.

The mood at Anfield is cautiously tense. Lessons from the recent Trent Alexander-Arnold saga linger heavily in the corridors of the AXA Training Centre. His confirmed exit, likely to be a free transfer to Real Madrid this summer, has amplified the stakes in the Konate negotiation. Club insiders are said to be uneasy, according to MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz, who painted a picture of déjà vu within Liverpool’s boardroom.

“At Anfield, they’re experiencing a very strange feeling following Frenchman Konate’s refusal to renew his contract,” Diaz reported. “They’re starting to detect ghosts very similar to those they felt just a year ago, when Alexander-Arnold began to reject offers to extend his contract.”

Photo: IMAGO

Konate’s Importance Too Great to Ignore

This is not merely a matter of a promising player seeking better terms. Konate was instrumental in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign under Slot, starting 26 league matches – his most consistent season since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021. At 25, he’s approaching his prime, and his partnership with Virgil van Dijk provided a bedrock for Slot’s dynamic, high-pressing system.

Currently on £80,000 per week, Konate is reportedly seeking a deal closer to £200,000 – a number that would place him just below Liverpool’s top earners: Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk and Alisson. On face value, it’s a steep increase, but in today’s market, perhaps not unreasonable for a first-choice international who has outperformed many peers in elite competitions.

Real Madrid Circling as Pressure Mounts

Adding further complexity is Real Madrid’s reported interest. Having already prised Alexander-Arnold away, the Spanish giants are thought to be monitoring Konate’s situation closely. Madrid’s long-standing policy of acquiring world-class talent at either end of their contract lifecycle – particularly on a free – makes Konate an appealing prospect should talks remain stalled.

Photo: IMAGO

Paris Saint-Germain are also understood to be keen, with the added lure of a return to Ligue 1 for the French international. This continental attention only sharpens Liverpool’s dilemma: hold firm on their wage structure, or risk another elite player walking for nothing.

Decisive Action Needed From Liverpool Hierarchy

In truth, Liverpool have little room for delay. With two years left on Konate’s deal, this summer marks the ideal window to either secure his long-term future or explore a sale. Waiting until the final year of a contract has already proven costly. The Alexander-Arnold exit, after two decades of service and without a transfer fee, stung more than most.

It’s a delicate moment for Arne Slot’s regime. Having delivered the Premier League at the first time of asking, the Dutchman now needs stability behind the scenes. That includes ensuring that core players are not only retained, but made to feel indispensable.

Konate’s situation doesn’t require panic — yet. But with each passing week, Liverpool’s margin for error narrows. Letting this drift into uncertainty again, particularly with clubs like Real Madrid lurking, would be an error difficult to defend.