PSG and Al-Hilal CIRCLE for Liverpool contract rebel

Liverpool are facing a contract conundrum with Ibrahima Konate. The 26-year-old Frenchman is out of contract in 2026 and so far no breakthrough has been reached in talks with the club over a new deal.

Sporting director Richard Hughes will be hoping to safeguard against losing the central defender for nothing next summer - either by cashing in or else tying him to new terms.

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Having established himself as part of perhaps the best partnership in the Premier League alongside Virgil van Dijk, losing Konate would be a massive blow.

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But on the other hand, the former RB Leipzig man is seeking a massive pay rise - said to be £200k per week - in order to renew. It’s a problem that will need to be resolved soon as Konate’s transfer value is going to diminish the longer the impasse remains in place.

PSG and Al-Hilal circle for Konate

The player admitted that talks were at a standstill, insisting that no deal was close to being agreed last season either.

And now it’s been suggested that a couple of suitors are in the frame for Konate in the shape of Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League.

That’s according to BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel, who claims talks remain ongoing with the club over a new deal.

“One name to keep an eye on is Ibrahima Konate,” he said.

“He is in talks over a new contract, but his existing deal expires at the end of next season.

“If an agreement can’t be reached it will be interesting to see if Liverpool consider offers for the France international to avoid losing him for nothing in 2026.

“Paris Saint-Germain and Al Hilal are the clubs I’ve heard who have an interest in Konate.

“What happens with Konate could impact how Liverpool approach the futures of fellow centre backs Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez, who have Premier League interest.”

Liverpool linked with several centre-backs

We could see Liverpool lose Konate, Quansah and Gomez this summer as Hughes and head coach Arne Slot plot reinforcements in defence and elsewhere over the course of the summer market.

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Potential incomings include Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace and Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton. Arne Slot will be grateful to have Van Dijk secured to 2027 - because all around him in the centre-back position there is uncertainty.

Anfieldwatch were first to reveal PSG's interest in Konate, with the European champions having plans to hand the France international the captaincy.