Liverpool want agreement with contract rebel now deadline day has passed

The transfer window closed on Monday but Liverpool are left with lingering questions in one key area.

Despite signing Giovanni Leoni over the summer transfer campaign - for a reported £26m from Parma - the Reds look light at centre-back.

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They sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen and also completed a permanent deal for Nat Phillips to join West Brom.

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Those moves leave Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as the only senior options in the squad - with Leoni, 18, still very much learning his trade.

Liverpool chased Marc Guehi

That’s one reason why the pursuit of Marc Guehi was seen to be so vital. The England man has the experience and quality to improve the backline as well as add plenty of depth.

And another reason why the Crystal Palace captain was in demand at Anfield is due to the contract situation around Ibrahima Konate.

Signing Guehi would have made good sense considering Konate is out of contract in 2026 and talks over a new deal have so far proven unsuccessful.

Real Madrid are hovering in the background - with the France defender previously admitting that negotiations had all but reached a standstill.

Konate talks are back ON

The 26-year-old will be entitled to speak to Madrid over a free transfer come January and there is little Liverpool can do if the situation develops.

But there is hope. It’s been reported that now the window is closed Liverpool will attempt to coax Konate back to the table. There was a slim possibility of the club cashing in on Konate last summer - but that chance has now passed.

It means sporting director Richard Hughes getting serious in talks with Konate and tying him down like he did with Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah.

And if no solution is forthcoming, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he is sold in January.

Swap Guehi for Konate?

“He still is highly thought of by Arne Slot,” a report reads in Football Insider. “Right now there’s nothing sort of concerning about his future.

“Obviously his contract situation is the main talking point on Anfield right now.

“Once the window closes, there’ll be further talks held with Konate to see if he will sign a new contract or not before the January window.

“Otherwise that will be Liverpool’s last chance to cash in on him.”

Swapping Konate for Guehi might not be a bad idea if he cannot be brought to the table to discuss a new deal.

But the France international should consider his next move carefully. Liverpool are the best team in England and have put together a squad capable of challenging for the very top honours once again. Let’s hope he decides to be part of it.

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