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Liverpool Football Club finds themselves staring down the barrel of another devastating contract saga that could see one of their most prized defensive assets walk away for nothing, just months after losing Trent Alexander-Arnold in identical circumstances.

Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation at Anfield has reached a critical juncture, with the French defender entering the final year of his deal.

Just like Alexander-Arnold before him, Konate finds himself in the enviable position of holding all the cards with less than 12 months remaining on his current deal?

Real Madrid’s interest in both players follows an identical pattern.

At the heart of problem lies a fundamental disagreement over his market value.

The French defender is currently earning £80,000 per week – a figure that reflects his status when he joined from RB Leipzig in 2021, but woefully inadequate for a player who has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s premier center-backs.

Konate’s representatives are said to be demanding a significant increase to around £200,000 per week, representing a staggering 150% pay rise that would catapult him into Liverpool’s upper wage bracket alongside players like Alisson Becker.

And while there has been numerous reports that an agreement is not close at this stage, a positive update has now emerged.

Abdellah Boulma, reporter for FIFA and some French news outlets, has claimed that Konate is keen to stay at the club despite no agreement yet being reached:

“Liverpool and Ibrahima Konaté are still in talks over a contract extension,” he wrote on X.

“No full agreement yet, but the French defender is happy at the club and keen to stay.”

The 26-year-old enjoyed his most consistent season in 2024-25, making 30 Premier League appearances and playing a crucial role in Liverpool’s title triumph.

The Frenchman appears to have put his injury worries behind him.

Losing Konate would represent a massive blow, particularly given van Dijk’s own advancing years.

The Dutch captain, despite signing a two-year extension, will be 35 by the time his current deal expires.

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