Dressing room sources believe Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate will stay and extend his deal
Dressing room sources believe Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate will stay and extend his deal Liverpool’s dressing room sources believe Ibrahima Konate will stay at the Anfield club beyond this season despite no breakthrough in contract extension talks, according to The Athletic journalist James Pearce . Konate is out of contract in the summer and while an agreement with the Reds does not feel imminent, remaining at Liverpool is currently viewed as more likely than him leaving. Manager Arne Slot could do with the Frenchman going forward but nothing is guaranteed yet as the centre-back could wait until the end of the season before making a decision.
Konate currently earns around £150,000 a week at Liverpool and is seeking an increase that would bring him in line with some of the higher earners at the club. Last summer signing Florian Wirtz earns around £250,000 a week, and the French defender believes he deserves more than what he currently earns. The Merseyside club want to extend the deal of the 26-year-old but only on their terms.
Real Madrid withdrew their interest in Konate last November but other suitors will continue to monitor his situation and not hesitate to swoop in if he becomes a free agent in this summer’s transfer window. The defender could wait to see if the Reds secure Champions League football for next season before making a decision on his future. Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League table heading into the remaining seven fixtures of the campaign, but the likes of Chelsea, Brentford and Everton are not far behind.
They have not been impressive across all competitions this term and could do with a major squad overhaul in the summer as they prepare for the departure of Mohamed Salah and a few others. Konate is not in a hurry to commit his future to Liverpool and could look to move on after five years. Talks between both parties are expected to keep going on and a compromise could be needed for an agreement to be reached.