Konate deal in danger as jaw-dropping contract demands come to light | OneFootball

The centre-back - who signed for the Reds back in 2021 from RB Leipzig for £35m - is out of contract at the end of the season. The 26-year-old is due to depart on a free transfer in summer 2026 if no new terms are agreed.

Konate has been a key part of the Liverpool backline for a while now - emerging as Virgil van Dijk’s preferred partner during the victorious 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

It would be a devastating blow for the Anfield club if they lost one of their best players for nothing - with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and teams in Saudi Arabia all said to be interested.

Although Konate has been entitled to speak to interested overseas clubs since January about a high-profile Bosman deal there has been no sign of an agreement elsewhere.

Konate wants staggering signing-on fee

Liverpool therefore still retain a chance at renewing Konate but up to now they haven’t met his contract demands. He wants to be paid over £200k per week according to various reports with the club unwilling or unable to pay it.

And now a report in Spain has suggested what could be holding up his free transfer to Real Madrid.

According to Defensa Central Konate is looking for an astonishing €15m to €18m (£13m to £16m) as a signing-on bonus at the Bernabeu.

“Konaté wants a signing bonus of €15-18 million for leaving on a free transfer, a position that hasn't entirely convinced the club,” the report reads.