Report: Liverpool still in talks over deal for defender | OneFootball

Konate contract uncertainty frames defensive planning

Liverpool’s contract talks with Ibrahima Konate continue to hover over a season that has otherwise leaned heavily on his availability rather than his best form. As reported by TeamTalk, the 26 year old has started all 16 Premier League fixtures and six Champions League matches, a level of trust that underlines how central he remains to Arne Slot’s thinking. Yet with his deal expiring at the end of the season, the situation carries an edge that Liverpool know too well.

Negotiations have been ongoing for some time, and the preference inside Anfield is clear. The aim is retention, not replacement. As TeamTalk’s transfer insider Dean Jones explains, “The aim has been to tie him up by the New Year, but I’m not sure they see it as a strict deadline.”

Contract talks shaped by past lessons

Liverpool’s caution is informed by history. The spectre of unresolved contract sagas looms large, and the club are keen to avoid a repeat. Jones was explicit on that concern, noting, “The objective has been to avoid another Trent Alexander-Arnold scenario that drags on and on, and then he still leaves.”

Photo: IMAGO

The stakes are high because losing Konate would create a domino effect. “The problem Liverpool have is that if Konate leaves, then they’ll actually need two centre-back signings,” Jones added. That reality explains why talks continue without panic, but also without complacency.

Centre-back targets reflect depth strategy

Liverpool’s recruitment thinking is already active. According to TeamTalk, the Reds are assessing options such as Marc Guehi and Nico Schlotterbeck. Crucially, these are not viewed as direct replacements. Jones clarified, “They are already in the market for someone – and that’s not to replace Konate, it’s to have as well as him.”

Photo IMAGO

This reflects a wider concern about squad balance. “Too many new signings is part of the problem in terms of the team gelling,” Jones said, adding that losing Konate mid season “actually would bring about new problems.”

January stance signals resolve

Liverpool’s position is firm. There is no appetite to cash in during January. “So I don’t think they will try to sell him, I think they will only lose him if they reach a stage where finding an agreement has become impossible.” It is a stance rooted in stability rather than short term manoeuvring, and one that aligns with Slot’s early emphasis on continuity.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This report lands with a familiar mix of calm and concern. Konate has not hit the heights consistently this season, but availability matters, and his partnership potential remains obvious. Letting him drift towards the exit would feel like self sabotage when the defence is still bedding into a new coaching cycle.

Fans will nod along to the logic of avoiding another drawn out contract saga. The club have been here before, and patience can quickly turn into regret. Equally, the idea of adding someone like Guehi or Schlotterbeck without forcing Konate out makes sense. Depth has been the difference between title challenges and near misses in recent seasons.

There is also a strong sense that January should not be about upheaval. Liverpool are not chasing a reset, they are refining. Losing a senior centre back midway through the campaign would jar with the rhythm Slot is trying to establish. Supporters would much rather see the club back Konate with a fair deal, keep continuity at the back, and add competition on their own terms.

Ultimately, this feels like a moment for clarity rather than brinkmanship. Tie him down if possible, strengthen smartly, and avoid creating a problem that does not need to exist.