Ibrahima Konate contract agreement moves closer | OneFootball

Liverpool have got a contract problem to solve with Ibrahima Konate. The French defender signed for the Reds from RB Leipzig back in 2021 - establishing himself as Virgil van Dijk’s preferred partner last season.

Konate, 26, formed part of one of the best central defensive partnerships in Europe - helping Arne Slot’s side win their 20th league title. But with his contract expiring in 2026 - sporting director Richard Hughes is facing quite the conundrum.

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The centre-back has so far resisted Liverpool’s attempts to sign him to a new deal - with his contract demands said to be around £200k per week.

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If Liverpool cannot get him to sign a new contract before the end of this transfer window there even remains the possibility that he will be SOLD.

Madrid clear the way for Konate

Expect the Reds to bank around £35m if he is moved on - with Barcelona and Real Madrid both said to be interested.

The latest indications from Madrid reporters suggest that club president Florentino Perez is optimistic of adding Konate on a free transfer in 2026.

Indeed it’s been stated that the 15-time European champions could offer the stopper a dizzying €18m signing-on fee next year rather than paying Liverpool for him in the next few weeks.

And Xabi Alonso’s club now appear to be making crucial decisions regarding Konate’s arrival.

Madrid to ditch Rudiger and Alaba

It’s been claimed in Diario AS that the club are preparing to allow both David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger to LEAVE in 2026.

The Champions League-winning pair are out of contract next summer and shifting them out would create plenty of space for Konate and potentially one more defender like William Saliba.

“Madrid isn't planning to renew Rüdiger and Alaba, who have one year left on their contracts,” the report reads.

Madrid’s other options include Eder Militao - coming off the back of two injury-ravaged seasons - as well as Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio.

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How Liverpool can move on from Konate

If Rudiger and Alaba are to leave then Madrid would indeed require more options in the position. Liverpool will need to come to a decision soon over Konate.

The safest option may be to add Marc Guehi to a department already strengthened this summer by the acquisition of Giovanni Leoni.

Otherwise the club could find themselves searching for another senior option in 2026 - by which time Van Dijk will only have a year left on his contract.

Madrid played the waiting game for Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of his move to the Bernabeu this summer and now seem to be doing similar over Konate.