‘Real Madrid and PSG on red alert’ as Konaté makes Liverpool transfer decision
Liverpool look set for a huge summer transfer window as Arne Slot’s side prepare for their title defence next term.
The Reds have already secured the big-money signing of Florian Wirtz, and with Milos Kerkez now arriving at Anfield as well, Slot’s squad could soon look very different to how it did just a few months ago.
The heavy spending in L4 naturally looks set to also result in some departures, with Jarrell Quansah currently edging closer to an exit.
Now, Ibrahima Konaté has made another crucial decision which could have a major impact on Slot’s preparations for next season.
Konaté wants to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract
Contract issues have been a topic of much discussion at Anfield in recent months.
Trent Alexander-Arnold opted to depart Liverpool at the end of his deal, while Mohammed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk both displayed their continued commitment to the project by penning renewed terms.
Konaté now looks set to be the next key player to cause a contract stir on Merseyside.
The French international is reportedly keen to walk away from Liverpool when his contract expires next summer, according to Foot Mercato (26 June).
The Reds are said to be aware of the centre back’s intentions and have tried to engage him in fresh talks as a result, but they have had no success on that front so far.
Konaté’s potential availability is sure to attract the attention of clubs across Europe, and it is thought that Real Madrid, PSG, and Barcelona have all already been alerted to his likely departure.
Konaté could deal a major blow to Liverpool
Slot has already felt the effects of mismanaged contract situations, and it now seems that Konaté will be the latest to make Liverpool sweat over the prospect of him leaving Anfield for free.
The 26-year-old has developed into one of the world’s leading defenders over the four years since his move from RB Leipzig, and the champions will surely have fears that the Alexander-Arnold situation could be about to repeat itself if they can’t convince Konaté to open talks.
| Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Liverpool | 132 | 5 | 4 |
| RB Leipzig | 95 | 4 | 1 |
| Sochaux | 13 | 1 | – |
Liverpool arguably got away with it somewhat in the cases of Salah and Van Dijk, but they cannot keep getting into these situations where their key players have the option of walking away from the club for nothing.
Konaté’s emergence as a world-class centre half will have increased his potential value massively, and the Reds will lose out on that altogether if he walks away next summer.
They must prioritise seeking assurances from the player in the early stages of the season, and if there is no indication that he may sign a new deal, then they may be forced to cut their losses in January.
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