The French defender’s current contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, but he has given an important update on his situation and highlighted how he has become a leader at the club.
Ibrahima Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 (Image: Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate has revealed his intention to sign a new contract and called on Liverpool’s sporting director to explain why it took so long to agree. The French defender’s current contract expires at the end of the season and there were rumors that he could be a candidate for a free transfer to Real Madrid.
However, Konate is set to remain at Anfield and a new long-term deal should be confirmed in the coming days. The 26-year-old centre-half said: “My future? To be fair, people are saying a lot of things, but we’ve been talking to the club for a long time and we’re getting close to an agreement.”
“I think everyone wanted it for as long as possible, but we’re moving in a good direction. We certainly have a great chance of staying here next season.”
read more: Jamie Carragher expects to leave Liverpool after dramatic Everton winread more: Andy Robertson’s creeping Tottenham concerns ‘name’ two replacements to join Celtic
“This is what I’ve always wanted. I’m waiting for the contract to be sorted out, but once everything is sorted out I’ll have to ask Richard (Hughes) what I said to him in September or November so he’ll say something to shut everyone up.”
There was fear among fans that Liverpool were once again in a Trent Alexander vs. Arnold situation. The England full-back’s contract expired in the summer and he moved to the Bernabeu.
But when asked if he had always wanted to extend his stay at the club, Konate said: “That’s why I said that. When everything is resolved, before you guys talk about everything, I want you to talk to Richard and ask him what I said to him a few months ago. And you’ll know when he responds. I just hope that.”
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is leading contract negotiations with Ibrahima Konate (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
With sporting director Hughes clearly leading the club’s negotiations, Konate wondered if it was a deliberate policy to bring negotiations back to the drawing board. He continued: “It’s a negotiation. It was exactly the same with Virgil and Mo last season. I think they signed contracts in April and this is probably what the club wants.”
However, it now appears that the club and the player have come to an agreement on the finances and length of his contract, with Konate looking forward to playing a bigger role in Liverpool’s future. His central defensive partner Virgil van Dijk will celebrate his 35th birthday in July, while Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are set to leave in the summer.
And Konate says he is ready to take on a more important leadership role, explaining: “I think I’m already a leader for this team, for the young players and to be fair to everyone. I know this is part of my football life.”
“The legends will leave someday, and now it’s our turn to take the lead. I’ve already started this and it’s a big responsibility, but we’re starting and playing football to have an opportunity like this and to make sure everything goes well for this great club. But I also need everyone’s help.”
Ibrahima Konate has started alongside Viril van Dijk in 31 of Liverpool’s 33 Premier League games this season (Image: Getty Images)
Konate joined Liverpool in 2021 and his ties to the club have been strengthened by the support he received following the tragic death of his father in January. It was a traumatic time for him.
“It’s been a tough year because a lot has happened,” Konate said. “And I think if everyone knew exactly what happened to me, they would understand how much I sacrificed for this club.”
“I hold this club in my heart like a family. It’s a really great club, a great family. That’s why we have to give everything on the pitch, for them, for the fans and for everyone in the city. This club means so much to me.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+ and Ultimate TV packages
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundles to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, plus 135 channels and complete coverage of the Premier League and EFL from Sky.
Sky has over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more, with at least 215 of them live from the top flight, along with F1, darts and golf.
