Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté is at a contract crossroads, creating a key decision point for new manager Arne Slot and the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG). Currently earning around £70,000 per week, Konaté is reportedly demanding a pay rise to £200,000 per week to sign a new contract. Liverpool, however, want a deal structure primarily focused on performance-related bonuses with a lower guaranteed base salary, leading to stalled talks.

Konaté's potential departure is attracting interest from top European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Real Madrid, and Barcelona. Real Madrid values him at between €20 million and €25 million, but Liverpool are holding out for a fee closer to €50 million. Konaté is understood to be open to a move but also happy at Liverpool and keen to stay if terms can be agreed.

FSG and Liverpool are reportedly prepared to consider selling the 26-year-old centre-back if contract talks don’t yield a resolution before the summer transfer window closes. With Konaté’s contract expiring soon, the club faces the dilemma of either meeting his wage demands or capitalizing on his transfer value now rather than risking losing him on a free transfer in 2026.

Behind the scenes, Liverpool aim to secure Konaté on terms that reflect the club’s financial structure while preserving their defensive strength, described by Arne Slot as a "monster" asset. The situation encapsulates the broader challenge Liverpool face balancing player retention and wage inflation amid rising competition from elite European clubs.

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