Aston Villa could pull off stunning Ibrahima Konate coup despite risks after latest news
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Credit: Imago Fri 29 May 2026 15:00, UK Aston Villa could well be among the clubs to contact Ibrahima Konate this summer ahead of his expected Liverpool departure.The defender is set to bring five years at Anfield to an end next month at the end of his contract, despite having been in negotiations for months. This season, however, consistency has been hard to come by for both the Frenchman and the Reds as they limped to a fifth-placed finish.Villa transfer chiefs may look to start negotiations quickly, with Konate set to go to this summer’s World Cup with France. 🔄 Aston Villa Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on signings, departures, and contract news from the Aston Villa boardroom.
VISIT THE VILLA TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Ibrahima Konate to be available on a free transferFormer Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last month that Konate’s contract situation was worrying, despite the ongoing talks.The 27-year-old had initially been tipped to replicate the Trent Alexander-Arnold route, rejecting a new contract to join Real Madrid in the summer. Konate will undoubtedly demand huge wages as a free agent, and could well trigger some disgruntlement at Villa Park among the lesser-paid players.Exclusive: Ibrahima Konate is expected to leave Liverpool.
No agreement has been reached between #LFC and the French defender despite Konate indicating in April a deal was close.🤝 @alex_crook pic.twitter.com/PQgofK50nr— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 28, 2026 Those expenses will be for a player who was overly unimpressive this season and who suffered some fairly severe injury issues at the earlier stages of his career, with their return never ruled out.On the other hand, for no transfer fee, Villa would be equipping Unai Emery with a centre-back who truly can be world-class in the right form, and who has all of the physical assets to bolster the Spaniard’s defence.Villa’s squad analysed as cuts needed elswhereKonate’s arrival could well call for wage cuts elsewhere. There is also a decision is to be made on free agent Jadon Sancho, who spent the season on loan at Villa Park.With the 26-year-old’s wages also set to be costly, it is unlikely that both he and Konate could both conceivably sign permanently for the Villans this summer. 🦁 ASTON VILLA INSIDER UPDATE 🦁 Get the inside track on the Villa Park dugout, transfer strategy, player wages, and technical leadership at Bodymoor Heath.