Fabrizio Romano gives Liverpool HOPE over contract rebel's future

Liverpool are battling to stop yet another big star leaving on a free transfer this summer.

We saw Trent Alexander-Arnold depart for Real Madrid last summer, and Ibrahima Konate is being rumoured to follow in his footsteps when the season finishes. Liverpool fans are filled with dread.

As soon as a player enters the last year of their contract, it becomes incredibly likely that they will leave on a free transfer, rather than choosing to renew their deal. At this stage, negotiations have been going on for quite a while and the chances of eventually getting a breakthrough are pretty low.

However, we have seen the club manage to convince Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk to renew their deals at the very last minute, and so we're inclined to keep our hopes up until everything's final.

Fabrizio Romano's Van Dijk intel creates hope

In a new video on his Youtube channel, Fabrizio Romano stepped in to address the latest Spanish reports about the Liverpool captain, and offered some insight into how his contract saga unfolded.

He said: "There are some stories in Spain about Virgil Van Dijk, who wanted to go to Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer. I'm aware that Virgil Van Dijk really wanted to stay at Liverpool. He really wanted to be a crucial part of the Liverpool project.

"Sometimes, the stories can be told in different ways. In Spain and in England, it's normal. But it's also normal sometimes for agents, when you have a client - a world-class player like Virgil Van Dijk - to reach out to clubs and understand situations. It's part of their job. But the desire of the player has always been to stay at Liverpool and to continue at the club. That must be clear."

As such, the news coming from Jose Felix Diaz linking Van Dijk with Madrid must be taken with a generous pinch of salt. It's not as straightforward to assume that the Spanish reports are accurate.

The Dutchman's own words are 'it was always Liverpool' and we should take his words at face value.

However, this insight into how some of the Real Madrid reports work might actually give Liverpool fans hope over Konate's current situation, with Los Blancos eyeing a free transfer move for him.

French reports appear to be suggesting that the Reds are constantly engaged in contract talks for him to renew his deal at Liverpool, and we haven't actually heard from Konate about what he thinks.

All of the negative discussions about his future are based off information that isn't impartially verified.

On the Frenchman, the journalist continued: "Ibrahima Konate remains a player on the list of Real Madrid, so if Konate leaves on a free in the summer, then Real Madrid will be very attentive. For sure, he is one of the player's they are monitoring.

"On the other side, Liverpool are still talking with his agents. so Liverpool, at this stage, have the opportunity still to talk to the player, but Konate has the opportunity to decide whether he wants to stay at Liverpool or try a new chapter. There is a lot of interest in Konate, not just Real Madrid, so for sure there would be a big opportunity, but this depends on the player."

As such, everything is still in the air. We don't know if Konate is genuinely considering Real Madrid, or if the situation is like Van Dijk's, where his agent is merely doing his due-diligence and considering the different options available. All is not lost yet, and until there's confirmation, nothing is certain.

Until then, consider the context behind each report. Not all of the report information is factual.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 Liverpool have a NEW right-back and he's the best in the world

👉🏻 Marc Guehi is COMING: Liverpool will agree deal to sign England star

👉🏻 Liverpool legend's son is now an elite centre-back