Liverpool are keen to secure a new contract with Ibrahima Konate amidst increasing speculation of interest from Real Madrid.
Konate, who is in the final 18 months of his current deal, disclosed earlier this year that he has received a new offer from the Reds to extend his stay at Anfield, which began in the summer of 2021 following a $47 million transfer from RB Leipzig.
However, the centre-back has hinted that he is not close to reaching an agreement, choosing instead to focus on the rest of the season. This has sparked rumors of interest from Real Madrid and Konate’s hometown club Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports from Spain this week suggest that the former have put the defender at the top of their shortlist, alongside Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. Contrary to subsequent claims, though, Konate does not have a £50.2m ($65M) clause in his contract, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Liverpool are eager to avoid a repeat of this season’s situation where Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all entered the final year of their contracts and could potentially leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Negotiations continue between Liverpool and the respective parties regarding potential new contracts, with both Salah and Van Dijk having previously expressed their wish to remain at the club.
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Alexander-Arnold, on the other hand, is also considering an offer from Real Madrid, who were unsuccessful in their attempt to sign the right-back during the January transfer window.
Konate is currently with the France team for their two-legged UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash against Croatia.
