Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté is reportedly unhappy with the club’s latest contract proposal, raising the possibility of a free transfer exit if an agreement cannot be reached.
The 26-year-old centre-back, who enters the final year of his current deal next month, is said to be dissatisfied with the structure and incentives outlined in Liverpool’s offer.
Born in France to Malian parents, Konaté has become a key figure in Liverpool’s backline since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021.
However, his representatives are reportedly seeking improved terms, particularly a higher base salary, after fulfilling several performance benchmarks in recent seasons.
The Guardian reports that the club’s offer falls short of those expectations, casting doubt over Konaté’s long-term future at Anfield.
With the Reds already losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer, and speculation mounting over potential exits for Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, keeping Konaté has become increasingly crucial.
Sporting director Richard Hughes managed to negotiate a £10 million fee for Alexander-Arnold before the Club World Cup, but Liverpool will not have that leverage if Konaté allows his contract to run down.
Clubs like Real Madrid are said to be monitoring the situation closely and could pounce next summer.
While recent renewals for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk offer encouragement, Liverpool must move swiftly to avoid losing another core player.
The Guardian adds that there is growing internal concern over Konaté’s situation, though the club remains firm in its stance not to overpay—an approach that could prove costly, especially when competing with clubs offering higher wage packages.
