“It wouldn’t surprise me…”: Liverpool backed to replace 26-year-old key star in January
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Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate remains a pivotal figure within the squad but is currently at the centre of transfer and contract speculation as he approaches the final year of his contract at Anfield. Despite Liverpool’s determination to keep him, the defender has yet to agree to a contract extension, prompting interest from multiple top European clubs. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have long been interested, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich recently joining the race to secure his signature.
Negotiations between Liverpool and Konate have stalled, with Liverpool reportedly setting a transfer price around £40 million. However, potential buyers view this as too high, leading to a standstill. Real Madrid might consider a lower fee near £25 million to sign him early, but no formal offers have yet been made. Liverpool face a dilemma akin to the one experienced with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was lost after contract negotiations broke down, and are keen to avoid a repeat scenario.
With the January transfer window approaching, Liverpool plans to resume contract talks to either secure Konate’s future or prepare to cash in on his transfer before he can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with another club. The club's manager Arne Slot still values Konate highly, despite the defender's challenging start to the current season and the impending arrival of Marc Guehi, which creates competition for playing time.
Chelsea has also emerged as a potential suitor, adding further complexity to Liverpool’s position. Konate’s importance is underscored by Liverpool’s defensive concerns, especially with Virgil van Dijk aging and the team conceding goals more frequently. Liverpool’s leadership is weighing the risk of keeping a key player without a long-term deal against the financial and sporting implications of selling him.
Overall, Konate’s Liverpool future hangs in balance, with final contract talks expected and several clubs ready to capitalize if an extension fails. The coming months are crucial for the defender’s career trajectory and Liverpool’s defensive stability.
PP