Liverpool are reportedly optimistic about securing a new contract for defender Ibrahima Konate. The French international’s contract at Anfield is due to expire at the end of the season, mirroring the situation that led to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s acrimonious exit. Real Madrid have been strongly linked with a move for the 26-year-old and want to snap him up for free. A return to his homeland has also been suggested, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested in acquiring the defender as Luis Enrique seeks to bolster his league and Champions League-winning defence.
As per L’Equipe, Liverpool have tabled another contract offer and it is reported that negotiations are in progress, with the Reds confident that an agreement can be reached. They report that Arne Slot’s team resumed contract discussions with the defender after they were temporarily halted so he could concentrate on helping Liverpool secure the Premier League title last season. The update comes hours after Konate struggled in the 1-0 Champions League loss to Galatasaray in Istanbul.
The departure of Jarell Quansah created a vacancy which was filled by Giovanni Leoni, the 19-year-old recruit from Serie A side Parma. However, the promising defender has been sidelined for up to a year after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton.
Combined with the collapsed summer transfer that saw Marc Guehi’s switch fall through at the final moment, Liverpool are left with restricted centre-back choices in Joe Gomez.
There remains the prospect that they can depend on backup from the likes of Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch dropping back from midfield.
Konate’s displays have attracted scrutiny during the Reds’ title campaign and it has prompted criticism from sections of the press.
Following struggles against Bournemouth and Newcastle, the defender demonstrated his class in subsequent matches but endured difficulties during Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League loss to Galatasaray.
Slot recently commented on his defender’s performances, stating: “I think he has things he can improve. But for him starting this season with a different full-back next to him probably is different as well.
“He and the team had Ryan Gravenberch in front of them for the first time against Newcastle, so I think it’s partly also adjustment to each other.
“And partly, I think the biggest strength of Ibou is of course his defensive quality. You could already see last season when he and Virgil were playing together, they mainly make sure Virgil doesn’t get the ball, so he needs to bring the ball out of the back.
“That he does sometimes really, really, really good, but his consistency in that part is definitely something he can improve, but that will also improve the more we work together, the more he’s used to the right full-back next to him, the more he’s used to the other players that are in front of him as well.”