Liverpool deliver URGENT message to contract rebel Konate

Liverpool continue to fret about the future of Ibrahima Konate.

The Frenchman is out of contract in 2026 - and has been playing his cards close to his chest as to his next move.

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Konate established himself as a Premier League title-winning centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk last season and there is no doubt the Reds would love to have him on board for the long term.

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At the club since 2021, the France international is attracting the attention of Real Madrid.

Konate makes Mbappe / Madrid joke

The 15-time European champions have a decent track record when it comes to free agent recruits - including Kylian Mbappe in 2024.

And the France captain’s relationship with Konate could yet play a part in determining the Liverpool man’s future.

Of course Konate is an international colleague of Mbappe’s and admitted over the course of the current international window that the Madrid forward was calling him “every couple of hours” about moving to the Bernabeu.

Although clearly tongue-in-cheek, Konate’s remark seems to have gone down badly with Liverpool. That’s according to a new report in Defensa Central, which claims the club have conveyed an URGENT message to Konate over his interview with the French media.

Konate receives Liverpool call

“This response regarding the possibility of joining the club chaired by Florentino Pérez, accompanied by some laughter, has provoked a particularly negative reaction in the Merseyside offices,” the report reads.

“So much so that Konaté himself received a call from England, from his club, with a very serious request.

“It was the manner, coupled with the constant refusal to extend his stay at Anfield Road and the constant approach to Real Madrid, that prompted this intervention from Merseyside.

“The reprimand Konaté has received is much harsher than initially expected. Especially since the player has been asked not to address any issues related to his future in the coming months.”

Konate out, Guehi in?

Konate’s contract is the one big issue overshadowing the current campaign for the Premier League champions. They need closure on the issue one way or another.

We may get a renewal before the end of the season or else Konate is sold in January - thereby guaranteeing some kind of financial return on a player who cost £35m.

The other option is he runs down his deal and leaves on a free - and if that happens then hopefully a deal can be agreed with Marc Guehi that will see Konate replaced.

But right now it appears the defender has been informed to keep his mouth closed over contract matters following his latest public utterance.

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