Liverpool get new CHALLENGE in Ibrahima Konate contract fight

Liverpool are facing a contract crisis over Ibrahima Konate.

The centre-back is out of contract at the end of the current season and so far no breakthrough has been reached with the club over a renewal.

If no new deal is agreed then the 26-year-old will be LEAVING in summer 2026. No doubt that would be a bitter blow for sporting director Richard Hughes as well as head coach Arne Slot.

Having signed for the Reds in summer 2021 for £35m from RB Leipzig, Konate rose to become a Premier League champion last season alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Although the France international’s form has tailed off slightly at the start of this campaign, Liverpool would want to keep Konate in order to maintain continuity in the heart of defence.

Barca and PSG join Konate race

Konate is reported to have turned down multiple offers to sign a new deal already and his estimated desired salary is around £200k per week.

Whether Liverpool manage to offer that amount to Konate remains to be seen but it looks like he won’t be short of suitors should he decide to up sticks next summer.

Real Madrid’s interest is well known by this stage as Xabi Alonso plans a defensive overhaul. And according to a new report from Fichajes, it appears that Barcelona will be competing for Konate too.

Konate "very attractive" for PSG

Given his status as a free transfer, a low-cost option is likely to appeal to the hard-up Catalans. But there is another threat being presented in the shape of Paris Saint-Germain.

Anfield Watch first detailed the Champions League holders’ plans to repatriate Konate ahead of the summer transfer window. Although the stopper ultimately stayed put, it’s now been put forward that PSG will be back to sign him on a free.

“The potential to bring him in for free is very attractive to them, especially to bolster their defense with immediate performance,” the report reads.

PSG appeals to Konate

“PSG, for its part, holds both emotional and competitive appeal for Konaté.”

Konate was born in Paris and has been reported to be a PSG fan in his his youth.

Right now there is a lack of clarity over his future - although it’s been stated that Liverpool may well make one more attempt to contract him before January when he will be entitled to speak to other clubs about a Bosman deal.

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