Liverpool to make ‘final attempt’ to keep key defender

Liverpool are reportedly set to make one final effort to reach an agreement with Ibrahima Konate over a new contract.

The Reds are on the brink of strengthening their central defensive options with the signing of Parma youngster Giovanni Leoni.

While Leoni is set to arrive at Anfield, there is a possibility that one of Liverpool’s first-choice centre-backs could leave the club in the next 12 months.

Konate faces an uncertain future after entering the final year of his contract with the reigning Premier League champions.

Liverpool to hold fresh Konate talks

Liverpool have so far failed in their attempts to extend the defender’s stay beyond the end of the 2025-26 season. 

According to the Empire of the Kop, Liverpool are preparing to make one ‘final attempt’ to tie Konate down to a new contract. 

The report suggests that the club’s hierarchy have not given up hope of agreeing a new deal with the 26-year-old.

Liverpool are set to hold fresh talks with Konate’s camp in the near future, with the Reds willing to offer the centre-back a ‘significant’ pay rise.

Liverpool want to avoid Alexander-Arnold repeat

The Reds are desperate to avoid a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga, which saw the right-back join Real Madrid on the cheap earlier this summer.

Liverpool did at least receive £10m to allow Alexander-Arnold to leave his contract early, but they still missed out on a significant fee for the England international.

As it stands, Konate will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from the start of 2026. 

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are both believed to be showing an interest in signing the Liverpool man on a free transfer next year.

Chelsea have also been linked with a move this summer, but the Reds are reluctant to sell Konate to a direct rival. 

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