Ibrahima Konate could reportedly still stay at Liverpool despite reaching the end of the season without an agreement over a contract extension.
The Frenchman has had a difficult season, and for much of the campaign had appeared to be ticking towards a free transfer exit.
However, there looked to have been a breakthrough recently, after Konate claimed that he was ‘close’ to staying at Liverpool. More than one month on from that declaration, though, and an extension is yet to be signed.
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Sunday brought the curtain down on the season, and while the lack of an announcement that Konate would be leaving offered some hope of an agreement being reached, it still felt more likely that the 27-year-old would depart.
Journalist David Lynch has now offered some better clarity on the situation, claiming that he had recently been told that clinching Champions League football could be a factor in whether Konate stays, and now that it has been secured, he thinks the France international will stay.
Konate talks set to accelerate
Speaking to Anfield Index on Monday, Lynch reported that talks with Konate are still ongoing, and that based on everything he has been hearing, he now thinks the No. 5 will sign a new deal.
“The last I heard on this was kind of ‘get the other side of getting Champions League qualification, and then some clarity is kind of expected on that,'” he said.
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“Champions League qualification is secured, Liverpool are there, let’s see what happens.
“From his body language, what he’s said previously and what I’m hearing from his side, it’s clear as I understand it that he’s very, very keen to stay. The fact that Liverpool have secured Champions League football, I lean on the side that he’s going to stay, if I’m being honest. But it’s still up in the air at this point.
“The fact that it isn’t settled is kind of crazy,” Lynch added. But it’s a big few days coming up.
“I was told that getting Champions League qualification sorted was kind of a factor in this, they’ve done that now, maybe they’ll pull the trigger on getting the contract sorted now.”
News will have to arrive quickly on Konate either way, and with Liverpool having plenty to do in the market this summer, fans should be hoping that the former RB Leipzig man puts pen to paper in the coming days.
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