Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate is reportedly \u2018set to leave\u2019 the Premier League giants upon the expiry of his contract next month.<\/p>\n
The centre-back\u2019s future has been in doubt over the past year because he entered the final year of his contract at the start of this campaign.<\/p>\n
Konate <\/a>was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League last season, but his form over the past year has been incredibly disappointing as he has been a weak link in Liverpool\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n This has potentially cost him a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, but he has also been linked with other European giants ahead of his contract expiry.<\/p>\n Despite this, Konate said in an interview last month that he and Liverpool <\/a>were \u201cclose to an agreement\u201d over a contract extension.<\/p>\n \u201cMy future? There are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,\u201d Konate said.<\/p>\n READ: Top 10 Premier League market value decreases of 2025\/26 features Liverpool trio<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think everyone wished for that for as long as possible but we are in a good way.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a big chance I\u2019m here next season. This is what I always wanted. I\u2019m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard [Hughes, \u00adLiverpool\u2019s sporting director] what I said to him in September, November and he\u2019s going to say something to make everyone quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n Konate also indicated that he had no concerns over the time it\u2019s taken to sort his contract situation. He added: \u201cThis is negotiation.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah] last season it was exactly the same. I think they signed the contract in April and this is maybe how the club want it.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Slot\u2019s Liverpool future still \u2018uncertain\u2019 as Szoboszlai \u2018not happy\u2019 and teammate \u2018unfairly singled out for criticism\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Ibrahima Konate is \u2018set to leave\u2019 Liverpool<\/p>\n Now, though, Konate\u2019s situation appears to be very different, with journalist Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook reporting that he and Liverpool are going to go their separate ways this summer.<\/p>\n Jacobs said on X: \u201cExclusive: Ibrahima Konate is expected to leave Liverpool. No agreement has been reached between #LFC and the French defender despite Konate indicating in April an agreement was close.\u201d<\/p>\n Crook added: \u201cEXC: Ibrahima Konate set to leave #LFC.\u201d<\/p>\n In their story on talkSPORT<\/a>, they added:<\/p>\n \u2018The French centre-back\u2019s contract runs out in a matter of weeks on July 1, and an agreement over a new deal has not been reached.<\/p>\n \u2018Those claims [from last month] from the 27-year-old appear to have gone nowhere, as he will depart the club this summer.\u2019<\/p>\n