Liverpool eye Braga defender after Ibrahima Konate exit update emerges
Ibrahima Konate faces an uncertain future at Liverpool.
Speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future rage on, with their deals expiring at the end of the season.
However, the French international’s situation has gone under the radar, with his contract currently set to expire in the summer of 2026 and no signs of progress from either side.
The Reds need to get a move on if they want to extend the former RB Leipzig man as the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are interested in Konate.
Liverpool enter race for Sikou Niakate
Given that Van Dijk and Konate could be out of the door in the near future, the Anfield outfit are reportedly in the market for new centre-backs.
A report from Africa Foot (5 April) claims that Liverpool have entered the race for Braga defender Sikou Niakate due to Konate’s potential departure.
It states that the 25-year-old has been scouted by the Reds, alongside the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Italian clubs.
Konate contract should be a priority for Liverpool
Obviously, the trio that could depart this summer is the Reds’ main priority but Konate’s deal should not be neglected as it enters the final year.
The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the best centre-backs in world football this season alongside Van Dijk after finally brushing away the majority of his injury problems.
| Stats (Premier League) | Konate | Van Dijk |
| Matches | 24 | 30 |
| Pass Accuracy | 90.3% | 91.8% |
| Ground duels won | 112 (66.3%) | 143 (68.4%) |
| Aerial duels won | 63 (71.6%) | 95 (70.4%) |
Konate may decide to wait until the current contract saga is resolved to use the figures as a measuring stick in his own negotiations with the Anfield club.
However, Fenway Sports Group would be hesitant to pay top dollar to a player who has missed 45 matches over the last three seasons with fitness issues.
His quality is obvious, and the ownership need to make a statement and show that they are not willing to allow the Merseyside club’s best players to walk away for free.
With other elite clubs monitoring his situation, the Reds need to ensure that they tie Konate down for his peak years rather than looking for alternatives who will be nowhere near his level.