“‘It’s a concern…’ – Liverpool could suffer a major setback as genuine interest grows in £36m star”

Liverpool Could Face Tough Fight to Keep Key Defender Amid Growing Transfer Interest

Liverpool may have a battle on their hands to retain one of their key players in the coming months, according to a well-respected journalist who covers the club closely.

Transfermarkt lists six Liverpool first-team players whose current contracts are due to expire in June 2026 — one of them being Ibrahima Konaté.

Speculation over the French defender’s future has been building, with Empire of the Kop recently reporting interest from European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, CaughtOffside noted there’s been “no clear progress” in talks over a contract extension for the 26-year-old.

Konaté’s Future Remains Uncertain

In a recent Q&A session for Mail Sport’s Liverpool Confidential, journalist Lewis Steele responded to questions about whether Konaté might be allowing his contract to run down to leave on a free next year.

He clarified:
“Not necessarily, but it’s fair to say Konaté’s future is uncertain right now. Talks between Richard Hughes and the defender’s representatives began last November, and nearly a year later, there’s still no agreement in place.”

Steele added that Liverpool are still in negotiations and are keen to secure the player’s future, ensuring the club remains in a strong position. However, he acknowledged the lack of clear progress is concerning, especially given last year’s protracted contract issues with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

While Konaté may not be as high-profile as Salah or Van Dijk, losing him for free would still represent a major setback — especially with credible interest from Real Madrid.

Key Player, Ongoing Uncertainty

That discussions have dragged on for nearly a year without resolution is troubling for Liverpool, who may soon need to make a major call regarding Konaté’s long-term future.

The Reds had a late attempt to sign Marc Guehi fall through on deadline day, meaning they remain heavily reliant on Konaté — who joined the club from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £36 million (per The Independent).

Though his form has come under scrutiny at times this season, the centre-back bounced back with an excellent performance in the recent win over Arsenal.

Fans endured significant stress last season as both Salah and Van Dijk came dangerously close to contract expiry before eventually signing new deals in April. Understandably, Liverpool supporters will be hoping the club avoids a similar drawn-out scenario with Konaté.

With the transfer window now closed until January, there’s a window of opportunity for sporting director Richard Hughes to finally secure an agreement with the French international and put speculation to rest before the end of the year.