Liverpool get SIGNIFICANT Ibrahima Konate contract boost

Liverpool have got a contract worry about Ibrahima Konate.

Although the France defender started the season in indifferent form - featuring dubious performances against both Bournemouth and Newcastle - he has been a cornerstone of the club’s successes in recent seasons.

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Konate, 26, formed part of one of the tightest defensive units last season alongside Virgil van Dijk - propelling the Anfield side to the Premier League title under Arne Slot.

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RB Leipzig sold Konate to Liverpool for around £35m back in 2021 - and in fairness it took him some time to establish himself in the first team as Van Dijk’s partner of choice.

Real Madrid linked with Konate

But he is a firm fixture in the team now - but he’s got a contract which expires in 2026. So far the Frenchman has resisted the club’s attempts to get him to sign a new deal.

If no agreement is reached then he could be SOLD in January while the Reds can still bank a fee or else released in summer.

Real Madrid have been the team most closely linked with Konate - ready to repeat the trick which saw Trent Alexander-Arnold arrive at the Bernabeu. But there are indications now that Madrid are ready to hand Liverpool an unexpected Konate contract boost.

Could Madrid switch focus to Guehi?

According to a new report in Fichajes, the 15-time European champions are seeking to strike a free transfer agreement with Marc Guehi instead.

“Real Madrid are seriously considering signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace for next season,” the report reads.

Of course Liverpool missed out on signing Guehi at the last moment of the summer transfer window when Crystal Palace refused to sell.

He, too, is out of contract in 2026 and Liverpool might have been reckoned to be the most suitable destination.

Keep Konate?

But if Madrid enter the running then it could mean that Konate runs out of options and instead signs a new contract on Merseyside. The centre-back situation therefore remains far from clearcut and any number of eventualities are in play.

Liverpool could lose Konate on a free and add Guehi either in January or on a free transfer in summer. Or else they could see Guehi join Madrid instead - and thereby boost their chances of holding onto Konate. Let’s wait and see how this one plays out.

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