Ibrahima Konate's JAW-DROPPING Liverpool contract demand

Liverpool have got an impending contract issue to resolve over Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman, 25, is out of contract in 2026 and the countdown is very much on for sporting director Richard Hughes.

If no new deal can be agreed then Liverpool will have to consider a sale this summer. The club will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation, with the right-back running down his deal and leaving on a free.

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Real Madrid are again interested and are prepared to wait it out for Konate. Having been at the club since 2021, Konate would now like a pay rise to reflect his growing status in the team.

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He is a seasoned campaigner and a Premier League champion to boot - forming half of one of Europe’s top central defensive partnerships with Virgil van Dijk.

Konate’s previous deal has been reported at £140,000 per week and it’ll take a sizeable increase to keep him at the club long-term.

In fact, TBR Football has now revealed Konate’s demands for a new deal. In order to sign up with Liverpool for the future, Konate wants to become one of the best-paid players at the club.

Konate wants to be one of club's highest earners

“Ibrahima Konate wants a significant pay rise to make him one of the highest earners in Liverpool’s squad,” a report reads.

“The 25-year-old wants his deal with the Reds to recognise his level as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.”

Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are earning a reported £400k per week - but there is little prospect of Konate reaching parity with those two.

The next biggest earners in the squad are Alisson Becker (a reported £210k per week) and Alexander-Arnold (£180k per week).

Konate’s demands would therefore probably bring him in line with Alisson and much further ahead than other first-team stars like Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson.

Chelsea and Man City keep watch

Hughes’s dilemma is whether to cash in, risk losing him on a free next summer or give him a contract that currently reflects his standing in the team.

Not only are Real Madrid sniffing around but Paris Saint-Germain are also ready to break the bank for Konate. Furthermore, TBR Football has disclosed some surprising Premier League interest.

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“Konate is not short of alternative options with Real Madrid keen on him, but they are not alone, with Bayern Munich and PSG very keen – they are all huge admirers,” the report states.

“Chelsea and Manchester City are keeping a watching brief on his contract situation.”