Fabrizio Romano reveals final stumbling block in Ibrahima Konate contract

Ibrahima Konate's future has been a well-talked about topic among Liverpool's fanbase this season.

The Frenchman has been linked with several different clubs ahead of his contract expiry with both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain among his potential destinations.

And, even though the centre-back's performances haven't always been the best this term, it's clear that Arne Slot won't want to lose one of his starting players for nothing.

Indeed, this is exactly what happened at the start of the 2025-26 campaign with Trent Alexander-Arnold and, up until this point, the Reds have done everything in their power to avoid it happening again.

As the end of the campaign is slowly approaching, decisions need to be made with Fabrizio Romano sharing a fresh update on Konate's current situation.

Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool are now deciding on how long they want Ibrahima Konate to sign for

Although it seems like negotiations between Konate's camp and Liverpool are entering the final stages, there's still a few things that they need to iron out.

The Anfield outfit are finally in the driver's seat for negotiations which gives them one less area of their team that they need to worry about in the summer transfer window.

And now, while speaking on His YouTube channel, transfer guru Romano has shared what's holding the deal up at the moment.

"After long negotiations, after many months spent in contact, what I can tell you today is that these negotiations between Liverpool management and Ibrahima Konate, the player and his camp, are moving to the final stages," he said.

"The salary is almost agreed, the length of the contract is being discussed. So that’s the point, the number of years.

"There are some clauses to clarify, but Konate and Liverpool are almost there in negotiations over new contract.

"Again, let’s wait for these final stages. Let’s be careful until the end.

"But despite many reports saying that Real Madrid were back in talks to sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer, despite reports saying that Ibrahima Konate wanted to go elsewhere, at the moment, the club absolutely leading the race to have Ibrahima Konate and his services for next season is again Liverpool."

Liverpool will still need another centre-back if Ibrahima Konate extends his contract

Although Konate extending his Anfield stay would solve part of Liverpool's defensive problems, it's clear that reinforcement is still needed.

As mentioned, the Frenchman's form has been a tad topsy turvy this term and, if he goes through another one of those patches next term, the Reds will need a back-up option who's just as good as the former RB Leipzig ace.

Indeed, Jeremy Jacquet is already joining Liverpool in the summer but, with players such as Nico Schlotterbeck still on their radar, it's clear that there's still plenty of defensive talent for Slot and Richard Hughes to add to their ranks.

Liverpool's main problem this term has been their lack of form with their defence being one of their main downfalls.

Virgil van Dijk will also be entering the final year of his contract next term so, if he chooses to exit L4 in June 2027, succession plans need to be in place.

There are still a lot of moving parts involved in Konate's future but, if this latest update from Romano is to be believed, it's clear that Liverpool are taking a step in the right direction.

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