Richard Hughes inches closer to mammoth five-year contract deal | OneFootball

The France international, 26, has been with Liverpool since 2021 when he arrived on a £35m deal from RB Leipzig.

Konate has since established himself as one of the best centre-backs around - guiding Arne Slot’s side to the 2024/25 Premier League title alongside Virgil van Dijk.

But lurking in the background has always been the issue of the Frenchman’s contract. Due to expire in 2026 talks had been taking place between Konate’s entourage and club bosses for around 18 months with no satisfactory conclusion.

It was even speculated that Konate would seek a move back to the continent -.

Konate moves closer to new deal

The messaging has changed in recent weeks however - with Madrid backing off a deal for Ibou owing to his massive contract demands and a perceived drop in form.

It now looks more likely that Konate will stay and agree a new deal on an as-yet undisclosed salary. Konate was reported to be seeking a signing on fee from Madrid worth around £15m and a pay packet in excess of £200k per week.

Now according to RMC Sport an agreement is inching closer - with Konate set to remain on Merseyside until 2030 or 2031.

Five-year contract agreed for Konate

The days ahead - following Liverpool’s Champions League elimination versus PSG - will prove crucial in ironing out the final details of Konate’s new deal.

“The 26-year-old French defender should learn more about his future after the Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG,” the report reads.

“If he extends his contract, Ibrahima Konaté could remain with Liverpool until 2030 or 2031.

“Currently, only a few details remain to finalize the deal, particularly regarding bonuses.”

We can gather from this report that the salary package has been agreed with Konate - which must go down as another contract win for Richard Hughes.

Following deals for Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo he will be soon toasting another important renewal.

Now all that remains are the bonuses so let’s hope that gets sorted out ASAP and Arne Slot can get on with planning his squad for next season.