New theory emerges over Ibrahima Konate's latest contract update

Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate set tongues wagging over the weekend with his latest contract comments.

The French international declared that no new contract offer had been received - despite reports emerging that a new deal had been put in front of him.

Currently contracted to the Anfield club until the end of the season, if no new deal is agreed between Konate and the club then he will be free to speak to overseas clubs in January.

Konate, 26, is said to be earning in the region of £140k per week and a renewal would cost sporting director Richard Hughes in the region of £200k per week.

Konate is going to stay quiet

The player’s current form might well give the Premier League champions pause for thought but there is no doubt that he has emerged as one of the best defenders around over the last couple of campaigns.

However it looks like Konate it going to play his cards very close to his chest - and Madrid media now believe they understand why.

Citing a fear of being treated like Trent Alexander-Arnold - who was roundly booed at Anfield during a Champions League game for Real Madrid against the Reds earlier this month - Konate doesn’t want to rock the boat with the club’s fans by announcing that he is leaving.

Konate doesn't want to wreck Liverpool legacy

Madrid are of course in pole position for a high-profile free transfer next summer - seeing Konate as the leader of their new defence.

The Spanish club will also offer the former RB Leipzig man a sizeable signing-on fee - no doubt blowing what Liverpool could offer out of the water.

The temptation for Konate to take a deal at the Bernabeu will be high - but he does not want to tarnish his Liverpool reputation by declaring his intentions too early.

Konate will keep decision secret until the end

“Ibrahima Konaté is somewhat afraid of experiencing what Alexander-Arnold did with the Anfield crowd,” a report reads in Defensa Central.

“Shouts, boos, whistles, disrespect, etc. That's why the footballer has decided not to say anything concrete about his future, especially if he's going to sign for Real Madrid in January, because that would cause problems with his current fans and could even cost him his starting position.

“Konaté doesn't want to be another Alexander-Arnold... and he's going to keep his secret until the very end.”

It wasn’t until after the Reds tied up the Premier League title last season that Alexander-Arnold announced his intention to leave.

That said, it was an open secret that he would leave for Madrid - although he ended up moving on a £10m deal rather than a free transfer.

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