The Ibrahima Konaté transfer saga could soon reach its conclusion, with the Liverpool centre-back still having a chance of remaining at Anfield despite long-standing interest from Real Madrid.
The La Liga champions have reportedly made the France international a priority signing this summer, with a view to partnering him with Dean Huijsen in a young, talented central defensive pairing for the years ahead. However, Liverpool are determined to keep hold of the 26-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world in his position.
The handling of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure this summer has already angered sections of the fanbase, and with Konaté entering the final year of his contract, Liverpool’s stance is clear – he must either sign an extension or be sold before the window closes. According to Marca, the Premier League champions will table a contract offer in the coming days, insisting on a swift decision.
Liverpool weighing up defensive alternatives
Should talks break down, Liverpool are already exploring other options to strengthen their backline, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi among the potential targets. Nevertheless, Konaté remains a key figure in Arne Slot’s plans, and rejecting the proposed deal is not believed to be the current expectation.
Valued at €60m (£50.7m) by Transfermarkt, the defender could be prised away for between €40m and €50m (£33.8m–£42.2m). With his contract ticking down, Liverpool are not in a strong negotiating position and may be forced to cash in rather than risk losing him for free next summer – as happened with Alexander-Arnold.
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
