Sources: Liverpool make firm Ibrahima Konate transfer decision with rivals 'ready to move'

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(Credit: Imago) Sat 4 October 2025 8:30, UK Ibrahima Konate has had a nightmare week at Liverpool leading to questions about his long-term future in the heart of Arne Slot’s defence.Konate was slammed for his display against Crystal Palace when the Reds lost 2-1, before Liverpool fans urged the club to sell Konate in the wage of their Galatasaray defeat.Meanwhile, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in February that Liverpool are concerned about Konate, and those concerns are now growing.Back-to-back disaster performances for Liverpool have led to increased calls for him to be sold when the mid-season window opens or allowed to leave next summer.The 26-year-old has less than a year remaining on his contract at Anfield and is attracting intense interest from Real Madrid on a free transfer.Credit: ImagoLiverpool have no plans to accept Ibrahima Konate offersDespite his poor start to the season, Liverpool are reluctant to let Konate leave in January and remain determined to keep him at the club long-term.As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Reds are standing firm in their efforts to keep him at Anfield despite the ongoing interest from Real Madrid given the lack of defensive cover in their squad. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed that Liverpool would hold fresh contract talks with Konate following the end of the summer transfer window.Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I don’t think his form will have an impact on his long-term future.“Obviously Real Madrid are interested, there they are, keeping tabs on him and ready to move for Konate if he does run down his contract at Anfield.Credit: Imago“Liverpool really need Konate right now and they need him to step up because they’ve got injury problems in defence as well.

“Although he’s been bit shaky and not at his best so far this season, I don’t think it’ll have any massive impact on his long-term future. Liverpool want to keep him.”Ultimately, the decision will rest with the defender about whether he will remain at Liverpool or make the move with uncertainty still surrounding his future.Konate to decide Liverpool future amid contract talksContract talks have been ongoing at Anfield for months now, after Football Insider first revealed in April that Liverpool are prioritising Konate’s contract situation.Following agreements with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah last season, the centre-back’s situation emerged as the next target for the Reds.However, they have so far been unable to reach an agreement as speculation about a move to Madrid continues to heat up behind the scenes.Credit: ImagoBrown told Football Insider on 9 September that Konate is edging closer to Real Madrid after joking about the move with Kylian Mbappe on international duty.“He calls me every two hours!” the defender joked when asked whether Mbappe was putting pressure on him to join Madrid next summer. [via talkSPORT]For more Liverpool and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.