Ibrahima Konate has made a decision about his future at Liverpool. (Image: Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate is ready to put pen to paper on a new long-term deal with Liverpool, ending months of uncertainty over his future at Anfield. The French defender is currently set to become a free agent this summer and has been linked with a move away from Anfield for months, with Real Madrid consistently touted as a potential transfer destination throughout the year.
But the centre-back revealed after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Everton that he is on the verge of extending his stay on Merseyside, insisting that leaving was never on his agenda, having established himself as a key figure in the team since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021.
“To be fair, people are saying a lot of things, but we have been talking with the club for a long time and1776708325we are close to an agreement,” Konate explained. “I think everyone has wanted it for as long as possible, but we’re moving in a good direction.
“Certainly there’s a big chance to be here next season as well, which 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 (sporting director) Richard Hughes what I said to him in September or November, and then he’ll say something to shut everyone up.”
“Yes (it took a long time), but this is a negotiation. It was exactly the same with Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah last season. I think they signed their contracts in April. Maybe this is what the club wants.”
Express sports on FB! Get all the best sports news and more on our Facebook page
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will each leave this summer after nine years at the club, while captain Virgil van Dijk is entering the final year of his contract ahead of his 35th birthday in July, sparking widespread debate about Liverpool’s need for more dressing room leadership going forward.
The Reds are expected to sign centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £60m this summer, while teenage defender Giovanni Leoni is working on his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained on his debut in September. France international Konate, who turns 27 next month, has declared he is ready to step up at Anfield and take on a new era of leadership role.
He added: “I think I’m already a leader, in fairness, for this team, for the young players, for the players of my generation. We know this is part of football life. The legends will leave at some point and then it’s our turn to be the leaders.”
“I have already started doing this many years ago and in recent months it has become even more of a responsibility, but to have an opportunity like this and to make sure that everything goes well for this great club that we start and play football with. But I also need everyone’s help. I can’t do everything alone.
“So I said, when everything is resolved, before we all 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 so.”
This season has been a tough one for Konate. Performance has fluctuated throughout a volatile season for Liverpool, with them losing 17 times in all competitions, including 10 in the Premier League.
Centre-back Konate, who also lost his father in January, admitted it had been a difficult few months on and off the pitch, but remained positive about his future and the club’s future.
“It’s been a tough year with a lot going on. If people knew exactly what happened to me, I think they would understand a lot of how much I’ve sacrificed for this club,” he continued.
Ibrahima Konate plays against Beto in Liverpool’s match against Everton. (Image: Getty Images)
“I think it’s great and I’ll take some time to think about it at some point. Right now I’m focused on the end of the season and making sure we qualify for next season’s Champions League. That’s going to be a big part of my story so after we’ve taken some time to talk about this season.”
“In some ways it’s sad, but when I explain this to future children and people who support this club, it’s a very good thing for my story.
“I think it’s great and I’ll take some time to think about it at some point. Right now I’m focused on the end of the season and making sure we qualify for the Champions League.”
“And I take the time to talk about the season because it’s a big part of my story and in some parts it’s sad. But when I explain it to future kids and people who support this club, it’s a very good thing for my story.”
“It’s Liverpool. Yes, it was a bad season by Liverpool standards. If we finished in the top four, of course we wouldn’t be happy, but this is what we have for the rest of the season. This is part of success.”
“Liverpool as a club has had seasons like this before and this is part of the success. Certainly in a season like this we have to do everything we can to do well next season.”
“First of all, we have to focus on the end of the season and the World Cup after that will also be a big challenge for some of our players.
World Cup Legends: The stars of soccer’s biggest tournament in history – buy the special edition now
“Yes, it has been difficult[the last few weeks]. It is difficult to talk about[the Champions League]and say it is difficult, because we are playing against PSG, the best team in Europe. I think everyone will agree that if we beat PSG, we probably had a great chance to win the Champions League last season.”
“What can we say if they win[this season]? I don’t think we can say anything. It was difficult, but now we have a few games left and we have to make sure we secure a ticket to the Champions League next season.”
