Liverpool left with big headache as Konate set for departure

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is about to depart the membership on the finish of subsequent month after failing to conform to phrases on a brand new contract, in line with a number of studies.

The centre-back stated in April that he was near an settlement with the membership over a brand new deal.

However the 27-year-old is now set to move to pastures new, leaving Liverpool with a big headache in an space of the staff the place their energy in depth is missing.

Konate to have loads of choices after Liverpool exit

Konate informed reporters after Liverpool’s Merseyside derby win at Everton: “There are numerous issues individuals have stated however for a very long time now we have spoken with the membership and we’re near an settlement.

“I believe everybody wished for that for as quickly as attainable however we’re in a great way.”

“For certain, there’s a massive probability that I’m right here subsequent season. That is what I’ve at all times needed.”

However that probability has now evaporated, with Konate ending a five-year affiliation with the membership he joined from RB Leipzig in 2021.

Konate has received 4 main trophies with Liverpool, together with the Premier League title in 2025.

The France worldwide has made 183 appearances for the Reds, scoring seven targets, and is more likely to have loads of suitors to signal him on a free-agent deal.

Actual Madrid have been closely linked with a transfer for Konate in current instances, whereas Paris Saint-Germain are additionally now reported to be within the race for his signature, together with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Set to move to the World Cup with France, Konate’s future is probably not finalised till after that match, with Les Bleus among the many favourites for the title.

Liverpool left quick at centre-back

Even with Konate and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk on the coronary heart of their backline, the Reds struggled defensively in 2025-26.

Solely seven groups conceded extra targets than the 53 Liverpool shipped this season, Arne Slot’s males struggling a big decline defensively after conceding 41 in 2024-25 en path to profitable the title.

Each Van Dijk and Konate had been responsible of inconsistency this season, although Liverpool’s chief points on the again involved the full-back positions, as Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez each struggled of their debut seasons on the membership.

Regardless of his usually uneven type, the lack of Konate is a substantial setback for Liverpool.

Van Dijk will depart on the finish of subsequent season and, with Konate leaving, Liverpool’s solely different skilled centre-back is Joe Gomez.

Gomez is coming into the ultimate yr of his contract and has been linked with a transfer after taking part in sparingly this season.

Liverpool have two intriguing younger central defenders on their books within the type of Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, who will hyperlink up with the membership this summer time after signing a pre-contract deal in February.

Leoni, 19, tore his ACL on debut final September after becoming a member of from Parma. A price that would rise to £60m mirrored how extremely Liverpool consider Jacquet, however the actuality is that the Reds will now seemingly must enter the switch market once more to signal a extra skilled centre-back who can guarantee they don’t must depend on Leoni and Jacquet too closely.

Dropping Konate totally free is a painful blow for Liverpool, and it leaves them with extra work to do as they bid to bounce again from a disappointing marketing campaign.