Liverpool get Konate contract boost as Real Madrid close in on centre-back

Liverpool have got a contract problem to solve with Ibrahima Konate.

The Frenchman is out of contract in 2026 and so far there has been no breakthrough in talks over a new deal.

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Konate, 26, joined the Reds from RB Leipzig back in 2021 and has finally established himself as one of the finest centre-backs around alongside Virgil van Dijk.

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France international Konate is reported to be seeking an increase in his pay packet to £200k per week and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has not yet met those demands.

Real Madrid and Barcelona tracking Konate

Even so, there has been no guarantee that the defender would sign a new deal due to the presence of interested parties in the background.

Konate will be available to talk to potentially interested overseas clubs in January - with both Real Madrid and Barcelona thought to be keen.

Given he cost £35m, signing a peak-age Konate for free would be an amazing coup and Liverpool will try their best to safeguard against it.

Owing to Barcelona’s precarious finances, sacrifices would have to be made in order to accommodate Konate.

Madrid eye Konate alternative

That’s why Real have been touted as the more serious contenders - but a recent development suggests that the 15-time European champions may be looking elsewhere for a centre-back.

According to Sacha Tavolieri they are chasing the French central defender Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old is just beginning to establish himself as a top-level performers at Rennes, where he came through the academy.

Tavolieri was reporting on interest in the defender from Saudi Arabia - but also let slip that he was a target in Madrid as well as Arsenal.

Jeremy Jacquet now a Madrid target

“Al-Hilal Football Club has targeted Jeremy Jacquet as the priority U21 centre-back to recruit this summer, with a potentially massive salary on offer,” the transfer expert wrote on X.

“The Saudi club has made contact with his entourage, but NOTHING suggests at this point that Jacquet, who is also targeted by Real Madrid & Arsenal, is keen on a move to the Saudi Pro League.”

Given the Gunners are now looking at Piero Hincapie, we could probably rule them out of the running at this stage. That would leave Madrid free to conduct a deal for the youngster - and hopefully they leave Konate well alone.

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