Amid interest from Real Madrid, Ibrahima Konaté declines a contract offer from Liverpool.
Ibrahima Konaté turned down Liverpool’s most recent contract offer, stating that he would like to join Real Madrid. This was first reported by Foot Mercato and verified on June 26, 2025, giving Liverpool a major defensive dilemma.
The 26-year-old Frenchman, who paid £35 million to join Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021, has a deal that expires at the end of the 2025–2026 campaign. However, an overly performance-based pay structure that fell short of Konaté’s desired basic compensation of £200,000 per week has caused the extension talks to collapse. Compared to the deals given to colleagues Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, the Reds’ most recent offer was much less.
Konaté was a key member of Liverpool’s 2024–25 championship team, completing 88% of his passes, making 78 clearances, and recording 45 interceptions. Nevertheless, he seems committed to finding a new challenge outside of Anfield despite his defensive contributions and his developing connection with Van Dijk.
The front-runner is Real Madrid, who just paid £8.4 million for Trent Alexander-Arnold. According to reports, one alluring element is the possibility of seeing Alexander-Arnold again at the Bernabéu. Although Madrid is said to be in the lead, PSG and Barcelona are also monitoring the French international.
Stan Collymore, a former striker for Liverpool, has urged the team to sell if Konaté refuses to change. Collymore said TalkSport, “Let Konaté go if he doesn’t want to commit to Liverpool’s wage structure,” mentioning Marc Guéhi of Crystal Palace as a possible substitute.
On social media, fans are divided. While some praise Konaté’s aerial dominance and toughness and view him as essential, others note to his patchy performances and believe a sale for £40–50 million would fit the club’s summer rebuild.
Due to Andy Robertson’s chronic ACL injury and Jarell Quansah’s £35 million departure to Bayer Leverkusen, Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and newcomer Milos Kerkez are Liverpool’s only senior backfield alternatives. In an attempt to make up for the possible loss, the Reds are working hard to move the Guéhi negotiations along.
Supporters are already in shock by Alexander-Arnold’s leaving, and Konaté’s possible departure may be a serious setback. The sentiment on X was encapsulated by one fan: “Losing Ibou after Trent? Tragic. Arne Slot must now make a crucial choice as Liverpool looks to strengthen their defence and retain their Premier League title.
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