New details emerge on Liverpool's contract offer to Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool are facing a contract conundrum over Ibrahima Konate.

The 26-year-old joined the Reds from RB Leipzig back in 2021 for around £35m. Last season he established himself as Virgil van Dijk’s preferred centre-back partner - leading the Anfield club to the 2024/25 Premier League title.

The France international’s contract is due to expire in summer 2026 - meaning he is now less than two months away from being allowed to discuss a pre-contract agreement with potentially interested overseas clubs.

Liverpool line up 12-18 month contract deal

Real Madrid of course are interested in adding Konate on a Bosman - while a report in TEAMtalk now claims Juventus, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all have plans to add the stopper to their ranks.

Indeed it’s claimed that Richard Hughes might well look at bids of between £40m and £50m in the January transfer window in case Konate doesn’t sign a new deal.

The same report suggests that the Reds’ decision-makers are now playing for time over Konate - with a 12 to 18-month contract extension in the works.

Liverpool want centre-backs

A short-term extension of Konate’s contract would allow further time for succession planning while also maintaining the player’s transfer value.

Konate was previously reported to be seeking a pay rise from £140k per week to £200k per week. Given his injury history - and patchy form - it’s yet to be decided by the club that he is worth that much over a long-term contract cycle.

Therefore the new offer of a short-term deal could suit all parties; Konate will receive a higher base wage and Liverpool protect their investment.

For his part, the defender is said to be open to the prospect of leaving Anfield after five seasons - so long as the project appeals to him.

Liverpool are currently linked with several high-quality defenders - with Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck now seemingly at the top of the wishlist.

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