Ibrahima Konate contract update as Liverpool defender 'offered' new deal
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Latest Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot's Reds are reportedly confident that a new deal can be agreed with defender Ibrahima Konate despite interest from Real MadridLiverpool are reportedly now confident of agreeing a new contract with defender Ibrahima Konate. The France international is out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, and the Reds face a similar situation that saw Trent Alexander-Arnold bitterly depart.Real Madrid have been fiercely linked with a move for the 26-year-old, which could see them capitalise on the expiry of his contract.
A return to his native country has also been mooted, with Paris Saint-Germain said to be interested in signing the defender as Luis Enrique looks to strengthen his league and Champions League-winning defence.According to L'Equipe, the Reds have submitted another contract offer and it is reported that negotiations are underway, with Liverpool confident that an agreement can be reached.READ MORE: Jamie Carragher doubles down on Florian Wirtz in fresh Liverpool criticism – 'It looks a mess'READ MORE: Galatasaray rub salt into Liverpool’s wounds with brutal 11-word digThey claim that Arne Slot's side reinitiated contract talks with the stopper after they had been put on hold so that the defender could focus on helping guide Liverpool to the Premier League title last season.This season, there is an added importance on Konate to maintain his fitness during the limited number of defensive options at the Dutchman's disposal.Jarell Quansah's departure opened up a space which was taken up by Giovanni Leoni, the 19-year-old signing from Serie A side Parma.However, the talented defender has been ruled out for up to a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton.Added to that the failed summer transfer that saw Marc Guehi's move fall through at the 11th-hour, leaving Liverpool with limited central defensive options in Joe Gomez.There is also the possibility that they can rely on cover from the likes of Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch filtering in from midfield.Konate's form has come in for questioning during the Reds' title defence and it has led to criticism from fractions of the media.After difficulty against Bournemouth and Newcastle, the defender showed his quality in the games that followed but struggled during Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.Slot recently addressed the form of his defender, he said: “I think he has things he can improve. But for him starting this season with a different full-back next to him probably is different as well."He and the team had Ryan Gravenberch in front of them for the first time against Newcastle, so I think it's partly also adjustment to each other.“And partly, I think the biggest strength of Ibou is of course his defensive quality.
You could already see last season when he and Virgil were playing together, they mainly make sure Virgil doesn't get the ball, so he needs to bring the ball out of the back.“That he does sometimes really, really, really good, but his consistency in that part is definitely something he can improve, but that will also improve the more we work together, the more he's used to the right full-back next to him, the more he's used to the other players that are in front of him as well.”