Ibrahima Konate is attracting interest from Real Madrid after entering the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has snubbed a lucrative approach from the Saudi Pro League, insisting he wants to remain in Europe. The France international centre-back has now entered the final year of his contract at Anfield and at this moment in time, is not close to signing fresh terms on Merseyside.
Discussions with Liverpool have reached deadlock in recent months and Real Madrid are thought to be eyeing Konate on a free transfer after recently landing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Arne Slot’s champions.
However, in the past week, it’s understood an unnamed club from Saudi Arabia contacted Konate via his representatives to register an interest in signing the ex-RB Leipzig stalwart THIS summer. But Konate rebuffed the chance to sit down at the negotiating table and instead outlined his commitment to staying in Europe, where he wants to continue competing at the highest level.
Had Konate provided any encouragement that he was open to the move, the unnamed suitor would have been ready to kickstart talks with Liverpool over a deal.
READ MORE: Liverpool open Newcastle transfer talks in bid to secure record Alexander Isak dealREAD MORE: Newcastle issue immediate response to Liverpool’s £120m Alexander Isak approach
Liverpool would like to resolve Konate’s ongoing contract saga but there is a growing sense the 26-year-old may now be holding out for a move to Real Madrid and he’d be free to speak with Los Blancos from January 1.
The Reds are open to recruiting another central defender before the transfer window shuts having recently sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in a £35million deal.
They’re a little light at the heart of defence, though Wataru Endo is viewed as potential cover alongside Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson also slotted in at left centre-back in the friendly win over Preston.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is on Liverpool’s shortlist and they’ve also looked at Ajax’s Holland U21 international Jorrel Hato. Whether Liverpool would consider bids for Konate this summer – given the prospect of a new contract is currently up in the air – remains to be seen given they’re yet to receive any formal proposals for his services.
For now, the champions appear to be prioritising the signing of a marquee attacker after lodging an enquiry for Newcastle’s talisman Alexander Isak.
The Magpies do not want to sell but the Reds are also threatening to muscle in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike if Newcastle do not play ball.
Eddie Howe’s side have already seen a bid worth up to £69m including add-ons rejected for the Frenchman, who they’d like to pair with Isak at St James’ Park.
In the meantime, Liverpool have also rejected an initial offer worth up to £58.6m from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz.
The Colombian international is thought to be open to a transfer but Liverpool want to keep the player and believe Bayern’s bid is way below fair market value.
Napoli have also been pursuing Darwin Nunez, who is also the subject of fresh interest from the Middle East, but so far the Italians have not got close to Liverpool’s asking price.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
