While the contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been well-publicised, Liverpool may have another pressing issue that hasn’t received enough attention: Ibrahima Konate’s future at the club.
Salah, van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold are all in the final year of their contracts, with the club expected to hold talks with each player about extending their deals.
The uncertainty surrounding these key figures has dominated headlines, but according to Liverpool journalist David Lynch, Konate’s contract situation should also be a priority for the Reds.
Konate’s contract nearing critical stage
Konate, one of Liverpool’s top defensive talents, is tied down until 2026. However, as Lynch pointed out in an interview with Anfield Agenda, the fact that Konate now has less than two years remaining on his contract should be cause for concern.
Ibrahima Konate. Credit: Imago Images
“It’s not spoken about enough really that he’s inside two years now,” said Lynch. “That really needs to get sorted. [When it] gets to two years, things start to get a little bit more shaky in terms of what interest you can fend off, and whether the player starts to look for more money elsewhere.”
Lynch’s comments highlight the importance of locking down Konate, who will still only be 27 when his current deal expires. With interest from European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool could find themselves in a precarious position if negotiations aren’t swiftly concluded.
Liverpool’s talks with Konate underway
Reports indicate that Liverpool have already initiated talks with Konate’s representatives, though the most recent updates on these negotiations came in May. French outlet L’Equipe reported at the time that Liverpool were “confident” in securing an extension, but also noted that the centre-back was seen as an attractive prospect by several top European clubs. Konate himself has previously hinted that a move to PSG, his hometown club, could be a possibility in the future.
Ibrahima Konate. Credit: Imago Images
Given Konate’s strong start to the season under new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool cannot afford to lose the defender, especially at a time when maintaining squad stability is crucial. Slot has made an excellent start in his first campaign, and retaining Konate, one of the most important players in the team’s defensive setup, will be key to maintaining their momentum.
Prioritising Konate’s Future
With the transfer window now closed, Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, will likely turn his attention to contract negotiations.
Ensuring Konate’s long-term commitment should be a top priority for the club. In addition to securing the futures of Salah, van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold, extending Konate’s stay at Anfield will help solidify Liverpool’s defensive core for the years to come.
As Lynch suggested, Liverpool must act sooner rather than later to prevent any interest from rival clubs turning into a more significant threat.
