According to Marca, Ibrahima Konate has turned down a third contract offer from Liverpool in recent weeks, with his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2026.
The Premier League champions are keen to avoid losing the France international for nothing, but their efforts to secure an extension appear to be stalling.
The Spanish outlet reports that Liverpool are growing increasingly resigned to the possibility of Konate leaving on a free transfer, drawing parallels to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid earlier this year.
Madrid are now believed to be preparing to lure Konate to the Santiago Bernabéu once his deal at Anfield runs down.
Konate has joked that Kylian Mbappe calls him “every two hours” about a possible move to Real Madrid, while reports suggest Liverpool will “not beg” the defender to stay.
Konate said: “He calls me every two hours!”
The Times’ Paul Joyce reported that Liverpool “will not beg anyone to remain at Anfield.”
Joyce explained: “Konate’s future remains uncertain. The France defender has entered the final year of his deal and long-standing attempts to persuade him to sign a new contract remain at an impasse.
“Real Madrid have been identified as potential suitors next summer and, while Liverpool do not want to lose the player, they will not beg anyone to remain at Anfield.”
While Liverpool have been in negotiations for some time, Joyce made clear that no progress has been made.
The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe echoed that view, noting: “The dialogue has been ongoing, and a new contract has been ready to sign for a while.
“Liverpool do not want to wait another 10 months for a resolution, but are pragmatic about the outcome.”
Bascombe also suggested that Liverpool’s recent moves for Giovanni Leoni and interest in Marc Guehi show forward planning, with Guehi seen as a potential replacement for Joe Gomez if he departs on a free transfer.
Ideally, Liverpool would want reinforcements to compete with Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk, and eventually succeed the captain.
But as things stand, there is a real possibility that Konate – who turned 26 in May – could leave Anfield before Van Dijk does.
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