Liverpool ‘must make brutal Konaté decision’ after latest contract development
Liverpool might have no choice but to sell Ibrahima Konaté after a recent contract development.
Several Liverpool players reached the final year of their deals last season, and while Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah extended their contracts, the Reds weren’t able to agree deals with everyone.
Trent Alexander-Arnold caused a lot of anger after his free transfer to Real Madrid.
And the Reds face a similar dilemma with the likes of Andy Robertson and Konaté, as just like Salah, van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold last summer, the defenders are now entering the final year of their deals.
Konaté rejects Liverpool contract proposal
Konaté is in talks with Liverpool over extending his contract beyond the end of next season, but discussions are not progressing as expected.
As reported by The Guardian (23 June), Konaté has rejected Liverpool’s opening contract offer and is reportedly “disappointed” that the basic wage is too low.
| Stats (Premier League) | Konaté |
| Matches | 29 |
| Clean sheets | 11 |
| Goals conceded | 28 |
| Ground duels won | 133 (65.8%) |
| Aerial duels won | 75 (70.8%) |
| Minutes played | 2,413 |
The offer was seemingly based too much on performance-based incentives, and this may have been as a result of Konaté’s injury record, but the 26-year-old is clearly unhappy with the structure of the deal.
Liverpool will face a dilemma over his future if he refuses to commit to an extension, and this rejection should perhaps push them toward a sale this summer.
Liverpool must be prepared to sell Konaté
Liverpool’s interest in Marc Guéhi may stem from the uncertainty over Konaté’s future, as well as his injury record.
The Reds were willing to wait until pretty much the last minute for Salah and van Dijk to sign extensions after legendary spells and consistent availability for Liverpool. However, Konaté doesn’t have that same level of importance at Anfield.
Therefore, if the Frenchman isn’t going to sign a new deal this summer, it might make sense for Liverpool to cut ties before the new season begins.
Losing Konaté for free next year would be detrimental financially, given his potentially high value, and Liverpool must now prepare to lose him this summer if contract talks do not progress.
Selling Konaté now, while a player of Guéhi’s quality is potentially available at a lower price, would be better than having to scramble for a replacement after another year of uncertainty over his contract.
Sign up for the Liverpool News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Liverpool news sent straight to your phone.