Journalist: Liverpool may sell Konate this summer as contract talks stall | OneFootball

Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool Stalling on Contract Talks as Interest Grows

PSG, Madrid on Alert as Konate’s Future Remains Uncertain

Liverpool have yet to make progress towards a new contract agreement with Ibrahima Konate, according to Football Insider. With just over a year remaining on his deal come June, the situation is starting to ring alarm bells across Europe. Powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have been put on alert, ready to pounce should Liverpool open the door.

Talks that started back in October have stalled, and Football Insider reports “they are still no closer to agreeing terms over an extension.” That’s a troubling development for a player who, at 25, should be a centrepiece of the club’s next era.

Anfield Uncertainty: Sell or Extend?

“As a result, there is a growing feeling at Anfield that the centre-back could be allowed to leave should an interested club come up with an offer for him.” That quote alone should concern Liverpool fans. The club is staring at the prospect of losing a high-potential centre-back for nothing in 2026—or worse, selling him to a direct Champions League rival this summer.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, added a key variable: Konate’s fate could hinge on Virgil van Dijk’s. “If the 33-year-old leaves upon the expiry of his contract, Liverpool will be very reluctant to see both of their current starting centre-backs leave in the same window.”

That feels like a massive gamble. Liverpool risk being reactive instead of proactive with two of their top central defenders. Planning for the future doesn’t mean waiting until it’s forced on you.

Defensive Overhaul in Progress

Brown also noted concerns within Liverpool’s setup over whether Konate is the best long-term option. This summer, Marc Guehi and Dean Huijsen have been named as top targets. If that’s true, then the club might be ready to move on from Konate sooner than expected.

And it’s not just the centre-backs under scrutiny. Football Insider recently revealed that Andy Robertson is also due for talks about his future. His contract runs out in 2026, and Liverpool are reportedly considering Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson as possible replacements.

Clearly, a major defensive reset is on the table under new manager Arne Slot, and Konate’s future is just one piece of the puzzle.

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Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This kind of report sparks mixed emotions—concern, yes, but also a strange kind of hope. Konate has all the tools to be world-class: pace, strength, tactical intelligence. Injuries have disrupted his rhythm, but the raw quality is there.

Letting him walk—or worse, selling him to PSG or Madrid—would feel like giving up too soon. With Jurgen Klopp gone and Arne Slot beginning his reign, this is the time for stability at the back, not upheaval. And with over a year of uncertainty around Van Dijk, Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deals, it’s time for the club to send a message: key players stay.

There’s still time to lock Konate down and show some intent. Losing him would raise serious questions about the club’s ability to manage contract cycles and maintain a top-tier squad. Liverpool shouldn’t be scrambling every summer to replace its core. That’s not sustainable—and it’s not good enough for a club with ambitions to win.