Liverpool Face Uncertainty Over Konaté Contract as Club Eye Defensive Reinforcements

Key Takeaways:

• Ibrahima Konaté has not reached a contract agreement with Liverpool, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season
• Konaté is now eligible to negotiate a pre-contract with clubs outside of the Premier League, amid reported interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain
• Liverpool are planning to recruit a new centre back in the summer transfer window

Situation Surrounding Konaté’s Contract

Liverpool are yet to secure the long-term future of Ibrahima Konaté, as negotiations for a contract extension have failed to progress, according to a report from The Athletic. The 26-year-old French international’s contract is set to expire at the close of the current season, making him free to hold discussions with clubs outside England regarding a pre-contract agreement.

Despite the Premier League champions’ clear intention to retain Konaté and having put forward three separate contract offers, the central defender and former RB Leipzig player has not agreed terms to remain at Anfield. Notably, both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the French centre back as potential destinations.

🎖️| @David_Ornstein: Ibrahima Konate is on track to exit Liverpool in the summer.

There has been no breakthrough on new terms. pic.twitter.com/xDBRtppoao

— Anfield Edition | æ (@AnfieldEdition) January 13, 2026

Liverpool’s Summer Transfer Strategy

With uncertainty lingering over Konaté’s future, The Athletic reports that Liverpool’s recruitment team are turning their attention towards signing a fresh centre back ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. In addition to Konaté’s expiring contract, it should be noted that the contracts of two other defenders, Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, are both set to run until the summer of 2027.