Ibrahima Konate edging closer to Liverpool contract decision

Liverpool are facing a potentially tricky situation over Ibrahima Konate.

The French defender, 26, is out of contract at the end of the current season and so far no breakthrough has been reached in talks over a new deal.

If no agreement is reached between sporting director Richard Hughes and the France international’s entourage then he will be leaving in summer 2026.

That is a far from optimal situation for the Reds - who paid £35m for Konate back in 2021 when he left RB Leipzig for Anfield.

Madrid expressing doubts over Konate?

The club are keen to secure their Premier League title-winning defender to a new deal - with the player free to discuss terms over a potential free transfer as soon as January.

But a couple of key events in recent days may have pushed the narrative in Liverpool’s favour. First it was revealed in Foot Mercato that Bayern Munich and not Real Madrid were leading the race for Konate’s signature.

This is significant as we are led to believe that Konate’s No1 dream is a move to the Spanish capital. And now comes a report in Defensa Central which claims that Madrid’s decision makers have not yet made their minds up over signing the centre-back.

Madrid won't offer Konate January deal

Indeed it’s been claimed elsewhere that Marc Guehi and Dayot Upamecano are also on Madrid’s list.

Where that leaves a move for Konate is anyone’s guess - with the latest report indicating that Madrid are going to leave it as long as possible before committing to a deal for Konate.

“A key factor in Konaté's potential move to the Bernabéu is that his contract with Liverpool expires in 2026,” the report reads.

“If he truly wants to join the Spanish capital, he must not renew with the Reds. This is a prerequisite for this hypothetical transfer.

“If this condition is met, Florentino Pérez, Juni Calafat, and José Ángel Sánchez will make a decision on the matter sometime around March or April.

“Meanwhile, the sporting management is keeping a close eye on the season the team is having under Arne Slot.”

This is why Konate should sign Liverpool deal

Make no mistake, Madrid would never consider signing Konate if he wasn’t free.

That suggests they don’t actually value him highly - instead viewing Konate as a free hit of sorts. So if the defender is looking for any kind of certainty over his future then he’s already in the right place.

Richard Hughes has reportedly put an offer on the table for Konate - and he would do well to sign it and ensure clarity over where he’s playing for the seasons ahead.

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