Liverpool Star Turns Down Contract Offer Due to Wage Disagreement as La Liga Clubs Circle

Liverpool are facing several contract matters that need addressing before 2026, as they aim to prevent a repeat of the distractions that overshadowed the 2024-25 season, when negotiations over new deals became a major off-field focus.

Throughout much of the past season, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were at the centre of uncertainty regarding their long-term futures at Anfield. While Van Dijk and Salah eventually agreed to new terms in April, Alexander-Arnold turned down Liverpool’s offers and opted to make a switch to Real Madrid.

Despite the setback, Liverpool secured a £10 million transfer fee for the England international. Real Madrid were particularly keen to finalise the move in time for the Club World Cup, even though Alexander-Arnold was still officially a Liverpool player at the time.

Meanwhile, Caoimhin Kelleher, whose contract was set to expire next summer, has completed a transfer to Brentford. In contrast, Vítězslav Jaroš, who was also nearing the end of his deal, signed a new contract and has now joined Ajax on loan.

Ibrahima Konaté Turns Down Liverpool offer as Talks Stall

Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson are both entering the final year of their contracts, with Liverpool working to secure their futures. Robertson has attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and is reportedly open to a move, although the Spanish giants are also exploring other defensive options.

According to The Guardian, Konaté has turned down Liverpool’s first contract proposal due to a disagreement over wages. The French centre-back is said to be “disappointed” with the wage structure, as his representatives are pushing for a more substantial basic salary.

Liverpool’s initial offer is understood to have included performance-related incentives rather than a guaranteed wage increase. Discussions are expected to resume later in the summer, with Real Madrid reportedly monitoring the situation closely.

The Spanish side are believed to be positioning themselves to sign Konaté on a free transfer next summer. With no Club World Cup on the calendar, Madrid would not face the urgency that led them to pay £10 million for Alexander-Arnold. This potential deal would allow them to secure another Liverpool talent without a transfer fee.

Arne Slot a Big Fan of Konate’s Defensive Capabilities

Liverpool boss Arne Slot reserved some praise for Konate during last season as he said: “He’s already very good. He’s a centre-back who, without even touching the ball, is impressive because he is so strong and tall.

“One of the things he could improve is his play with the ball, bringing the ball out from the back. I would not say he was poor in that but he could improve and go to another level.

“He works really hard to improve that and I already see this improvement. Defensively, he is of the highest standard. He’s fast, he’s strong, he wins duels. He can cover for his team-mates as well if needed.

“Defensively, there is not a lot he can improve. From all the ball possession we have, we would like to create even more chances than we are doing now and that starts from bringing the ball out from the back.”

However, if the player decides not to sign a new contract, Liverpool will be faced with a significant decision.

In other news, “World-class” £150m Striker Now Wants to Sign for Liverpool, Just Imagine Him & Wirtz