Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate contract renewal in DANGER

Liverpool are facing a contract conundrum over Ibrahima Konate.

The Frenchman - who joined the Reds from RB Leipzig back in 2021 for £35m - is out of contract in summer 2026. If no agreement is reached with the club over an extension then the France international will be leaving for nothing at the end of the season.

Konate has so far resisted Liverpool’s attempts to tie him down - with the stopper said to be looking for a big increase on his £140k per week pay packet.

The transfer saga took a big twist last week when it emerged that Real Madrid had no intention of pursuing a deal for Konate.

Although he is available to speak to potentially interested overseas clubs in January over a Bosman deal, Madrid let it be known that they would likely pass on the opportunity to sign Konate.

Real Madrid drop out of Konate race

And while that may be a big blow to the player - who seemingly had his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu - it represented tremendous news for Richard Hughes and Liverpool.

Their biggest competitors for Konate’s signature had been removed from the equation - with the defender running out of options for a deal elsewhere.

But now comes the news that Liverpool may well have been fearing as another European giant enters the running. Inter have made a habit of smart free transfer pick-ups in recent seasons - including Marcus Thuram and others.

And according to a report in Fichajes the Champions League finalists have set their sights on Konate.

Inter enter Konate race

“With Real Madrid's recent decision to abandon talks to sign him, Inter Milan has entered the race strongly,” the report reads.

“Their sporting director sees Konaté as a key player to strengthen the Nerazzurri defense.”

Inter will require centre-back depth next summer with the likes of Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi out of contract and Manuel Akanji due to return from his loan spell to Manchester City.

For Liverpool there remains a window to sign Konate to a new deal before he gets the chance to speak to Inter - or indeed any other interested club - in January.

The clock is ticking.

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