TBR Football understands that Liverpool have held talks with Ibrahima Konate’s representatives during this international break, as they remain intent on securing him to a long-term contract.
Liverpool failed to seal a deal for Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, but TBR Football can confirm that any deal for the England international is seen as totally separate from that of Konate; the club ideally want them both on long-term deals.
Whilst Liverpool remain keen on Guehi and will see how that develops over the course of the next few months, they do still plan for Konate to stay.
Konate has rebuffed Liverpool’s offers of a new deal to this point, as previously revealed, as he wanted to be recognised as one of the Premier League’s top defenders.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The 26-year-old, a regular in the France squad under Didier Deschamps, believes he has a certain value, but his camp insist he is ready to sign a new deal with Liverpool.
Exclusive: Liverpool continue contract talks with Ibrahima Konate
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has exclusively revealed that Richard Hughes has led talks with Konate’s entourage over the international break, with the Reds confident that an agreement can be reached on a new deal.
“I am told Liverpool’s footballing hierarchy, including chief Richard Hughes, have held talks this week, which is an indication from both sides that they are very much still open to a deal.
“Konate’s camp insists they have not reached an agreement to join a Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, etc – they are adamant that is not the case, but the closer we get to the New Year, it will become more and more unlikely that he signs.
“But let’s see how the talks go, Liverpool remain hopeful Konate will commit to fresh terms.”
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Real Madrid are monitoring Konate’s situation at Anfield – he is in the final year of his contract and could follow Trent Alexander-Arnold to Madrid should he fail to agree on fresh terms with Liverpool.
Although Jamie Carragher believes Konate is replaceable, the Frenchman has been ever-present in the Reds’ backline since his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2021 and has established himself as one of the leading central defenders in the Premier League.
Of course, Liverpool signed Giovanni Leoni this summer, but the 18-year-old will be given time to adapt to life in England before being thrust into action, and Joe Gomez has proven unreliable due to injuries throughout his Anfield career.
Indeed, Konate has endured an underwhelming start to the campaign in comparison to his usual high standards, but he is a nailed-on starter for Arne Slot after the club failed in their pursuit of Guehi.
Real Madrid will rival Liverpool for Marc Guehi
Real Madrid are expected to enter the race for Guehi when the defender is available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Widespread reports suggest Liverpool have no intention of reigniting their interest in the England international when the winter transfer window opens.
However, Guehi is expected to become one of the most in-demand free agents on the market, and the Reds will face competition from almost every elite side in Europe in 2026.
Liverpool have laid considerable groundwork for a deal throughout the summer, but the player will undoubtedly be presented with lucrative wages elsewhere with clubs more capable of offering a guaranteed starting berth; therefore, his future is directly correlated with the outcome of Konate’s future.