Ibrahima Konaté's future at Liverpool is currently shrouded in uncertainty as contract negotiations appear to have stalled, leaving the player "disappointed" with the club's offer. With just one year remaining on his current deal, the situation has sparked concerns among Liverpool fans, especially after Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent move to Real Madrid.
Konaté, who joined Liverpool in 2021, has become an integral part of the Reds' defense, forming a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk. His performances have made him a key figure under Arne Slot, and the club initially expressed a strong desire to extend his stay at Anfield. In January 2025, Konaté himself confirmed that Liverpool had offered him a new contract. However, he also hinted that the negotiations were far from a resolution.
According to reports, the primary sticking point in the contract talks is Konaté's wage demands. The 26-year-old is reportedly seeking a significant pay rise, requesting a weekly salary of around £200,000. This figure would align him with the club's top earners, such as Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. However, Liverpool's management is believed to be hesitant to meet these demands, as it would require them to significantly alter the strict wage structure they have in place.
Konaté's camp feels that "the ball is in Liverpool's court", awaiting an improved offer that reflects his importance to the team. The initial proposal made by Liverpool in December was considered "very insufficient" by Konaté's representatives. While negotiations were paused to allow the defender to focus on his football, further talks in March failed to yield a breakthrough.
The situation has attracted the attention of several top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, who are all reportedly monitoring Konaté's situation closely. With Konaté's contract running down, Liverpool face the risk of losing him for free if a new deal cannot be agreed. To avoid this scenario, the club may consider selling him during the current transfer window for a fee in the region of €50-60 million.
Liverpool's hierarchy is keen to resolve the situation swiftly, learning from the recent experience with Alexander-Arnold's departure. The club is aware that losing another key player, especially in defense, would be a significant blow to their ambitions of challenging for major honors.
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining Konaté's future at Liverpool. If the club can find a way to meet his wage demands while staying within their established pay structure, a new contract could be agreed upon. However, if the impasse continues, Liverpool may be forced to cash in on the defender to avoid losing him for nothing next summer.