Ibrahima Konate is poised to depart Liverpool as a free agent when his contract concludes in June.
The defender’s exit appears likely due to a divergence in valuation and wage expectations between Konate and Liverpool. The 27-year-old, who arrived from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £35m on a five-year deal, is now heading for the exit door.
Contract Negotiations Stall
Initial discussions suggested a contract renewal was probable. Konate himself indicated in April, following the Merseyside derby, that an agreement was close and that he expected to remain at Anfield. Negotiations began in November 2023, however, an agreement has not been reached.
Negotiations have now ceased, and Konate is expected to leave this summer, following the path of Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, who are also expected to leave on a free.
Last year, Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid a month before his contract expired after the Spanish club paid a fee to release him early to play in the Club World Cup.
Liverpool’s Defensive Options
With Konate’s departure, Virgil van Dijk is now Liverpool’s only experienced central defender alongside Joe Gomez. Van Dijk’s current deal expires next summer.
The club failed to sign Marc Guehi on deadline day last September, with the England player joining Manchester City in January.
Liverpool are reportedly confident in their centre-half depth, citing the recruitment of Giovanni Leoni last summer and the upcoming arrival of Jeremy Jacquet for £60m this summer.
Jacquet, who turns 21 in July, featured in 21 games for Rennes last season but was sidelined for the final four months due to a shoulder injury. Leoni, 19, is out for a year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in September, a month after joining the Reds from Parma for a fee of £26m plus add-ons.
Priorities Elsewhere for Liverpool
Liverpool’s focus is believed to be on addressing other areas, such as replacing Mohamed Salah and filling the void left by Hugo Ekitike’s injury. An expensive renewal for Konate is therefore not a priority.
Liverpool have previously seen several players leave without generating a transfer fee. Roberto Firmino departed on a free in 2023, despite Jurgen Klopp’s desire for him to stay.
- Georginio Wijnaldum left as a free agent in 2021.
- Emre Can, Adam Lallana and James Milner also left without earning the club a fee.
- Naby Keita, Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all also left on a free.
Konate had expressed confidence in April about his future at Anfield, even suggesting reporters speak to Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes.
He implied that he always wanted to stay at Liverpool, despite rumours.
During his time at Anfield, Konate has won a Premier League, an FA Cup, and two League Cups.