Liverpool could still lose Ibrahima Konate on a free contract this summer, despite the defender declaring that a renewal was ‘close’ in April.
The end of a year of negotiations had looked to be in sight after Konate spoke out following the Reds’ Merseyside Derby win on April 19th, but with no further news, fans are growing more concerned.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has now spoken out to offer an insight into what the hold up is, reporting that things are now ’50-50′ on whether the Frenchman will stay with Liverpool.
Liverpool keep Arne Slot, Xabi Alonso goes to Chelsea. How would you react? 😄😡
Liverpool still not completely ready for Konate agreement
Such was Konate‘s enthusiasm when speaking after the win over Everton, it had seemed as though an extension would be announced imminently.
The 26-year-old is clearly keen to stay with Liverpool, but according to Jacobs, the hesitation is coming from the Reds’ side, as they continue to iron out some small details before an agreement can be reached.
“If you listen to the player, everything points towards an agreement, and that’s what fans want to hear,” the reporter told Liverpool fan site Born ‘N Red.
“I’ve been intentionally delicate in my reporting to respect what the player has said, which is that the contract renewal is close. We shouldn’t discount that, and I’m in no way saying he won’t extend, but the reason I described it as 50-50 is that Liverpool are very dispassionate, they are data-led in how they look at these things and there’s always been caution in negotiating with Konate.”
“For months and months and months Liverpool sources have referred to this ‘stalemate’ in getting it done. It could change in hours or days, but at the time I’m answering it’s not 100 per cent done and this is why Liverpool are cautiously optimistic, but it’s still a relatively open and complex situation.
“If it was as clear-cut as Konate said it was, then it already would have been announced,” Jacobs adds. “It hasn’t, which means negotiations have been taken to the wire, which is borne out of Liverpool’s caution, rather than Konate’s desire to stay. There’s still a realistic chance it gets done – and it gets done quickly – but it will very much get done on Liverpool’s terms.”
Liverpool’s Senesi interest will depend on Konate
As Liverpool hesitate over signing Konate on for the foreseeable future, links have continued to arise with Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi.
Senesi will be available on a free transfer this summer, and Jacobs says that Liverpool could still come in for the Argentine, despite him having an agreement in principle with Tottenham. It will, however, very much depend on the outcome of Konate’s situation.
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“Liverpool could still seek another defender, it’s crystal clear, if Ibou Konate doesn’t sign, then that’s a huge priority,” he says.
“If Konate doesn’t sign, it becomes more likely that Liverpool do formally enter the race for Marcos Senesi.
“There’s no real urgency, because Senesi is quite happy making a late decision after the season ends, and he already has terms in place with Tottenham anyway. They are confident he’ll honour the agreement and sign for them if they stay up. But that agreement was before – and still is – before Liverpool have decided if they want to enter the race, so a hijack could be on for Senesi regardless.”
Liverpool fans would likely prefer to see Konate stay if it’s all the same, and while that had seemed like the most probable scenario weeks ago, worry will remain until the No. 5 signs on the dotted line.
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