Liverpool have submitted a “new offer” to Ibrahima Konate in a bid to fend off competition from Real Madrid for his contract, according to reports.
Konate is in the final year of his current Liverpool contract and is the most valuable player who could become a free agent in 2026.
The France international has been heavily criticized for his poor form this season, making him a weak link for Liverpool, but it appears Liverpool are keen to tie him down to a new deal.
However, it may be difficult for Liverpool to sign Konate to a new contract, as he has attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest teams, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid are currently seen as his most likely next destination, as they are in the market for a new centre-back, although Real Madrid may be a daunting prospect given his current form.
Now, according to a report in French outlet L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), Liverpool have submitted a “new offer” to Konate’s agents and they are “confident” that Konate will ultimately accept.
Read: 5 Liverpool stars who need upgrades and replacements, including Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah
The report claims:
L’Equipe understands that despite Konate’s rather shaky start to the season and interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool bosses continue to “do what is necessary” to extend Konate’s stay, much like they did with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah last season.
The newspaper added that Liverpool had informed Konate’s entourage of a new contract renewal proposal in recent days. The Reds are said to be confident of the outcome of the negotiations and believe Konate’s place within Arne Slott’s squad is strong evidence that his future lies at Anfield.
However, Liverpool have several potential replacements on the table, with current reports suggesting they could sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Göch or Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni.
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As for Bastoni, Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke reports that Liverpool “will be forced to pay £80m” if they want to sign him next year.
The newspaper claims: “Sources say there is no chance that Liverpool will be able to sign Bastoni in the January transfer window, as it would be very difficult to do so.”
“The defender is very accustomed to Inter Milan and does not want to risk his future ahead of next summer’s World Cup.”
