Ibrahima Konaté’s time at Liverpool could be drawing to a close, with the centre-back reportedly rejecting two contract offers amid growing interest from European giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain.
The French defender, who played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season, is entering the final year of his current deal and has made little progress in agreeing an extension. According to Foot Mercato, Konaté is now leaning toward leaving Anfield on a free transfer next summer, with a move to Real Madrid his preferred destination.
Despite Liverpool’s efforts to tie the 26-year-old down, negotiations have hit a stalemate. Konaté is believed to have turned down two formal contract proposals, with wages a major sticking point. The centre-back currently earns around £70,000 per week, but is reportedly seeking close to £200,000 per week — a figure Liverpool have been reluctant to meet, especially with the proposed deal heavily based on performance-related bonuses.
The player’s camp is said to be frustrated with the structure of Liverpool’s offers and are pushing for a higher guaranteed base salary. Without a breakthrough, Konaté will be free to sign a pre-contract with foreign clubs as early as January 2026 with Madrid, Barcelona and PSG showing interest.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Frenchman’s stance via his Facebook account.
“Ibou Konaté is REJECTING new deal proposals from Liverpool. He wants REAL MADRID LIKE TRENT”
Konaté enjoyed the best season of his Liverpool career in 2024–25, forming a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence. Arne Slot’s side conceded the fewest goals in the league and Konaté was a regular starter, making 31 Premier League appearances and 42 in all competitions — more than in any previous campaign since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2021.
He cemented his place early in the season, coming on at half time replacing former Liverpool centre back Jarell Quansah during the opening day 2-0 win vs Ipswich Town and barely missing a beat from thereon. A goal against Wolves at Mollinuex in a 2-1 win in September was one of several key contributions in what became a career-defining campaign for the France international.
Yet despite his importance to the team, his long-term future remains uncertain. With contract negotiations dragging on, several European heavyweights are monitoring the situation. Real Madrid — fresh off signing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool under similar circumstances — is believed to be Konaté’s preferred destination.
The Spanish club have recently added Dean Huijsen to their defensive ranks, but are reportedly open to bringing in Konaté on a free next year if he becomes available. Arne Slot and FSG are aware of the mounting pressure to resolve the issue quickly, particularly after the public backlash that followed Alexander-Arnold’s exit to Madrid earlier in the summer.
Konaté has attempted to play down the speculation around his future. Speaking back in May, he addressed rumours on social media:
“You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake. I didn’t even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something — that is it.”
However, that statement has done little to dispel the growing belief that Konaté sees his future away from Anfield.
Slot has already bolstered the squad with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, but losing Konaté would be a major blow ahead of the the upcoming season. His physicality, reading of the game, and chemistry with captain Van Dijk have been integral to Liverpool’s resurgence under Slot.
Unless a breakthrough in negotiations arrives soon, Liverpool may be forced into a tough decision which is meet Konaté’s demands or cash in before it’s too late.
