Arsenal
Ibrahima Konate is being courted by Actual Madrid as his contract at Liverpool runs down, however well-placed sources have intimated his “precedence is to resume” his deal.
That’s in line with Liverpool journalist David Lynch who, when chatting with Sports activities Mole, defined conversations with “individuals near Konate himself.”
“In the meanwhile, I nonetheless get the sensation that the precedence is to resume with Liverpool,” Lynch stated.
“And there are talks there, nevertheless it’s sort of caught for the time being, it’s not progressing, which is a disgrace.
“However I don’t suppose it’s reached a degree of no return and the participant’s positively determined to go to Actual Madrid, I don’t get that feeling in any respect.”
This comes following new reviews from Spanish newspaper MARCA on Wednesday claiming that Liverpool “suspect” Actual Madrid have “already completed the work they wanted to do with the defender for subsequent season.”
Having already satisfied Trent Alexander-Arnold to see out his contract in an effort to safe a cut-price deal for the right-back this summer time, there’s a sense that the identical may develop if Konate’s talks proceed to stall.
Nonetheless, Lynch urged the scenario shouldn’t be precisely the identical as with Alexander-Arnold, with Konate not “determined to get out.”
“That chance is 100% on the desk, however we’re nonetheless in a second the place there’s hope of a breakthrough,” he continued.
“The participant shouldn’t be determined to get out of Liverpool, he’s not determined to go to Actual Madrid. It’s not in that scenario fairly but.
“However I believe Liverpool are going to must put a contract on the desk that’s engaging to the participant and as of but that hasn’t occurred.”
Konate’s present wage is reported to be round £80,000 per week with the Frenchman’s representatives looking for a rise to nearer to £200,000 per week.
That may transfer him into the higher bracket of earners at Anfield however it may possibly actually be argued that, having turned 26 in Could and as a key participant in Arne Slot‘s defence, he deserves that standing.
A lot may rely on the provision of different choices, too, with Liverpool recognized to be pursuing a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Whether or not Guehi, whose personal deal additionally expires subsequent summer time, is seen as a possible alternative for Konate or just one other elite addition to Slot’s centre-back choices stays to be seen.
However Liverpool’s curiosity within the England worldwide may actually put stress on their No. 5 as negotiations over a brand new contract proceed.
