Liverpool are expected to retain one of their important players this summer despite mounting speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The Reds could be facing a similar dilemma to the one they experienced with Trent Alexander-Arnold, as Real Madrid are now believed to be targeting Ibrahima Konate, who has just one year left on his current deal at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold departed for Madrid at the end of the Premier League season after turning down new contract offers from Liverpool, leaving the club he grew up at.
Fortunately for Liverpool, they managed to secure £10 million from his sale due to Madrid’s eagerness to finalise the deal ahead of the Club World Cup. In most circumstances, they would have lost him for nothing once his deal expired.
Konate is now entering the final year of his contract and is being linked with a move to the Spanish giants. Reports suggest he turned down Liverpool’s offer of a new contract due to disagreements regarding salary terms.
Spanish outlet E-Noticies reported earlier this week that Real Madrid submitted a bid to sign Konate this summer, but the offer was ultimately rejected.
Liverpool ‘Unlikely to Sell Ibrahima Konate This Summer’
Speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke suggested that Konate is expected to remain at Liverpool this summer, with the club demanding over £40 million to consider a sale. While the Reds are keen to keep the defender and avoid losing him on a free next year, they may be compelled to sell if a substantial offer is made.
He added: “I’d imagine Konate will end up staying at Liverpool this summer.
“The club will hold further talks with him to try and convince him to sign a new contract.
“So the player is in the box seat here, he can stay at Liverpool and talk to interested clubs in January with his contract running down as well.
“It’s a real worry for Liverpool because they’ve seen Trent Alexander-Arnold leave the club and they don’t want to see Konate do the same.”
Virgil van Dijk Claim Highlights Why Liverpool Must Fight to Keep Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has two years remaining on his current contract and will be approaching the age of 36 when it expires. Konate is viewed as a key part of the club’s defensive future, so losing him now or on a free transfer in a year’s time would represent a major setback.
Van Dijk has even gone as far as to claim that Konate is a better player than he was at the same stage of his career. He remarked: “Ibou is a good friend and an excellent defender. He’s fast, strong and he wants to become a leader. He’s getting there because he’s improving. I think he’s had his best season since he arrived.”
Since arriving at Liverpool in 2021, Konate has dealt with a few injury setbacks, but Van Dijk doesn’t see them as a long-term concern.
“As your career progresses, you understand better how your body adapts to different situations,” Van Dijk continued. “In any case, when I was his age, I wasn’t as good as him.”
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