Liverpool have reportedly submitted an improved contract offer to Ibrahima Konate as they look to prevent the defender from leaving the club on a free transfer next year.
Konate’s current deal with the Reds expires in June 2026.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are said to be keen on signing him as their next high-profile free agent.
The Spanish giants have secured several notable players on free transfers in recent years, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was also set to join Madrid on a free transfer but moved earlier after the Spanish club agreed to pay Liverpool a generous fee to expedite the transfer, driven by their desire to include him for the Club World Cup.
However, the approximately $12million fee Liverpool received for Alexander-Arnold was widely seen as below his true market value.
The Reds are determined to avoid a similar situation with Konate next year.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Konate has yet to respond to Liverpool’s latest offer, with the contract terms undisclosed.
It is reported, however, that Madrid remain an attractive destination for the 26-year-old.
The new offer is believed to be an improvement on Liverpool’s previous proposals, ending a contract standoff that has lingered for some time.
Konate is currently in Hong Kong with Liverpool as they continue their pre-season preparations, ahead of a friendly against AC Milan on Saturday.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Konate’s priority remains signing a new contract at Anfield.
The French international has also attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, with reports earlier this month claiming he turned down a lucrative offer to move to the Middle East.
Speaking about his future earlier this year, Konate said: “You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake,. I didn’t even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
“The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end… I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: ‘Ah, they have more information than me!?’
“It was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment.
“I knew at one moment people would think I didn’t want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen.”
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