Ibrahima Konate Expected to Leave Liverpool on Free Transfer

Liverpool face a contract crisis with defender Ibrahima Konate, whose deal expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, putting the club at risk of losing him on a free transfer in summer 2026.[2][3]

The 26-year-old French international, signed for £35m from RB Leipzig in 2021, has been in ongoing talks with Liverpool, but journalist David Ornstein reports no breakthrough despite negotiations.[1][3][4] Konate previously dismissed rumors of a "take-it-or-leave-it" offer and hinted at an announcement soon, but clarity remains elusive as the deadline looms less than six months away.[3]

Liverpool recently took a drastic decision by offering Konate to Real Madrid in a €20m (£17m) January deal to cover Antonio Rudiger's injury. However, Madrid rejected the proposal, unconvinced by Konate's inconsistent performances this season— a stark contrast to his key role in Liverpool's 2024/25 Premier League title win.[2] Real Madrid, focusing on targets like Nico Schlotterbeck and Marc Guehi, had earlier cooled interest in a Bosman move.[2][3]

Interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich persists for a lucrative free transfer.[2] Anfield chiefs remain committed to renewal, but with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez's contracts ending in 2027, the defense is a priority area.[3] Fans grow anxious, though precedents like Mo Salah and Van Dijk's late 2025 renewals offer hope for a last-minute deal.[3]

If no agreement is reached, Konate's exit would cap a turbulent tenure marked by injuries and form dips, leaving Liverpool to rebuild their backline.[1][2]

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