Ibrahima Konate is reportedly set to leave Liverpool when his contract at Anfield expires. Radio station TalkSport reported on Thursday night that the Frenchman would be leaving the Reds.
Konate’s contract expires this summer and it was previously reported that the 27-year-old would sign a long-term deal. But if reports are to be believed, and Sky Sports also claim as much, he will be the most high-profile departure from Anfield this summer, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leaving the club.
Signals of Konate’s possible departure have further changed at Liverpool, with the respective departures of Salah and Robertson drawing attention following the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, who also won the 2024/25 Premier League title a year ago.
Liverpool will also be in the market for a centre-back this summer, with signing a winger a top priority. The Reds got ahead of the game a year ago when they signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma for around £27 million, but he suffered the cruelest blow yet, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut in August.
Liverpool could make a move to lure Jarrell Quansah back from Bayer Leverkusen, a year after selling him to the German side. Quansah has performed well in the Bundesliga and has been selected to represent England at the upcoming World Cup.
If Konate were to leave, it would be a big change from the expected scenario of him signing a new contract. It was only last month that the defender hinted that a new contract was on the horizon after speaking to Reds sporting director Richard Hughes.
“To be fair, people are saying a lot of things, but we have been talking to the club for a long time and we are getting closer to an agreement,” he said.
“I think everyone has 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, which is what I’ve always wanted.”
“I’m waiting to sort out the contract, but once everything is sorted out I’ll have to ask Richard what I said to him in September or November and he’ll say something to shut everyone up.
Konate’s father passed away in January and the defender spoke about the impact it had on him after the 2-1 win over Everton in April.
“It’s been a tough year. If people knew exactly what happened to me, they would understand a lot of the sacrifices I’ve made for this club,” he added.
“Right now I’m focused on the end of the season and making sure we qualify for the Champions League. And I’m taking time to talk about the season because it’s a big part of my story and in some ways it’s sad.”
