Ibrahima Konate is viewed as a long-term part of Liverpool’s defensive line but the future of the French star is not clear-cut.
The defender is out of contract with the Reds in 2026 and that puts the club in a compromising position as this summer would be the ideal time to sell the 25-year-old if a new deal cannot be agreed.
Konate arrived at Liverpool in 2022 from RB Leipzig and has been a major part of the Merseyside club’s success in recent seasons, featuring in 112 matches for the Reds, scoring five goals alongside three assists.
Despite the departure of Jurgen Klopp, the centre-back has remained a key part of Arne Slot’s plans at Anfield as the France international has been the Dutch coach’s preferred partner for Virgil van Dijk at the heart of his defence.
Slot is yet to be convinced by Jarell Quansah this season, which makes Konate key to Liverpool’s future and therefore, the Premier League leaders will want to get his contract situation sorted very soon.
- READ MORE: What’s really going on with Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones’ contract talks at Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate is keen on staying at Liverpool
Liverpool are currently focussed on the contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold and once decisions are made on that trio, Konate will likely be the next in line.
According to Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy, the French star is keen to remain at Liverpool for many more years but wants to do so on the right terms.
Talks over a new Liverpool deal for Konate were initiated by the club back in September but the defender stated on Monday that “this is another conversation” when asked whether he was close to signing a new contract at Anfield.
It is being suggested that the new deal Van Dijk gets with the Reds will likely have a big impact on what the 25-year-old asks to be paid in his next contract on Merseyside.
Sources close to Konate believe the consistency of his performances, the “gold-standard partnership” with Van Dijk, his status in the squad under Slot, as well as literally putting his body on the line for the club, should be reflected in how well he is rewarded, reports Sky Sports.
Konate has been playing with painkillers for Liverpool in recent games, which shows his commitment to the club given the problems Slot has at centre-back due to Joe Gomez currently being out injured.
Liverpool also view the 25-year-old as a future captain, which is yet another reason, why the Reds need to come to an agreement with the French talent soon.
- READ MORE: Why Ibrahima Konate may be waiting to sign a new contract and commit his future to Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate is a future Liverpool captain
The current contract situations of Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Konate are set to have a major impact on the topic of the next Liverpool captain as the plan is very clear if all three sign new deals.
With the Dutch star turning 34 this year, the current Reds skipped is unlikely to get more than a three-year deal with Liverpool and once the centre-back leaves the Merseyside club, the armband is almost certain to be handed to local hero Alexander-Arnold.
The problem for the Premier League leaders is that Alexander-Arnold is heavily linked with a Real Madrid move this summer and if the right-back leaves, uncertainty over the captaincy should ensue.
This is where Konate may step in as the French star has already held the role with his national team, captaining his country in a UEFA Nations League game against Italy back in November.
This makes the 25-year-old’s contract situation even more pivotal as the reasons for keeping the centre-back grow with each passing season.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
