Exclusive: Liverpool may consider selling ‘top-class’ star despite Arne Slot’s objections

Liverpool may be forced to sell key defender in January despite Arne Slot’s strong desire to keep him

Although the summer transfer window has only just closed, transfer rumours continue to swirl—especially concerning one high-profile Liverpool player.

According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Liverpool’s contract negotiations with Ibrahima Konaté have hit a standstill. With the French centre-back entering the final year of his current deal, interest from major clubs like Real Madrid is intensifying.

Konaté didn’t do himself any favours during the international break, joking that Kylian Mbappé—his France teammate and Madrid star—has been calling him “every two hours” in an effort to lure him to the Spanish giants.

Liverpool could be forced to cash in mid-season

Sources close to Empire of the Kop suggest that Liverpool might have to seriously consider offers for Konaté in January, in order to avoid losing him on a free next summer.

Despite the club’s efforts to secure a contract extension, and Arne Slot’s clear desire to retain the 26-year-old, the board is weighing the financial implications of potentially passing up a fee of around €50m (£43.4m).

Real Madrid isn’t the only club monitoring the situation—Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are also said to be interested, with Madrid’s head scout reportedly planning a trip to England to push for a deal.

Konaté’s uncertain future a growing concern for Liverpool

With last season’s prolonged contract negotiations involving Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold still fresh in the memory, Liverpool now face yet another potential contract saga.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Konaté is an elite defender when fully fit. Former player and pundit Micah Richards once described him as having “all the tools to be a top-class centre-half” (BBC Sport)—a claim backed up by his recent goal-line clearance for France against Ukraine.

Slot’s determination to hold onto Konaté has only grown stronger, especially after Liverpool’s failed deadline-day move for Marc Guehi. And with The Times reporting that the Reds are unlikely to revisit that deal in January, the prospect of losing Konaté mid-season is even more concerning.

While the club understandably wants to avoid losing such a valuable asset for nothing, fans will be hoping that an agreement can still be reached in the coming months—preventing what could be a very tough call in the January window.