Big contract update emerges from Liverpool following Paul Joyce’s report.

All signs indicate that Ibrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer.

The French international’s contract negotiations with Liverpool have so far failed to make significant progress, suggesting no alternative outcome is likely. The 26-year-old defender recently started in France’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine last Friday.

Is Konate going to exit Liverpool?
According to reliable sources like The Times’ Paul Joyce, talks with Konate are currently at a deadlock.

It’s understandable why Liverpool fans might be frustrated, especially given persistent rumors linking the centre-back with interest from Real Madrid.

Journalist Nicolo Schira has also shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Konate is ready to leave in 2026. He reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League to pursue a long-term deal with the La Liga club.

Could Konate move to Real Madrid in January?
Industry insiders have told Empire of the Kop that Liverpool could consider selling Konate in January if contract talks remain stalled.

It’s likely the club would want to bring in a replacement if the defender is allowed to leave during the winter transfer window.

However, it’s unclear who that replacement would be, especially since Paul Joyce previously mentioned that Liverpool won’t try to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in January.

That stance might change if Palace is willing to part with their player to get some value before his contract runs out.

Regardless, it would be risky for manager Arne Slot to reduce Liverpool’s senior centre-back options to just three — Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Giovanni Leoni — without securing a suitable signing.