Liverpool will rue Marc Guehi collapse as Ibrahima Konate stance emerges
Liverpool have found themselves in a difficult position when it comes to the contract situation of Ibrahima Konate.
Konate is yet to sign a new contract at Liverpool, with his current terms set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid at the end of his contract, and there is a fear that the Frenchman could tread the same path next summer.
Liverpool tried to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day, but the deal collapsed in the final hours after Eagles boss Oliver Glasner threatened his resignation.
Konate told French media on Sunday that Mbappe has told him to join Real Madrid, further intensifying concerns over the defender’s future at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate yet to sign contract despite agreement
Konate impressed for France against Ukraine on Friday, once again demonstrating his quality.
And the 26-year-old has started well for Liverpool this season, too, starring against Arsenal last week despite his second-half substitution due to cramp.
With less than a year of his contract remaining, however, the Reds find themselves in an uncertain position when it comes to Konate.
The defender has, so far, not indicated a willingness to sign a new deal at Anfield and Liverpool risk, for the second consecutive summer, losing a hugely valuable asset for next to nothing.
The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe reported via X on Sunday that a new contract has been ready to sign for a while, but Liverpool do not want to wait 10 months for a resolution.
Liverpool to rue Marc Guehi collapse
Should Liverpool have signed Guehi, they would have been adding an established Premier League and international centre-back to their options.
The defender’s arrival would have eased any potential burden on 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni, and shelved concerns over possible injuries to Konate and Joe Gomez.
And from a negotiation standpoint, Guehi’s arrival would have given Liverpool a vital tool – leverage.
| Player | Current market value |
| Ibrahima Konate | £52million |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | £65million |
On the international stage, Konate is currently locked in competition with fellow Premier League Frenchman William Saliba, with Dayot Upamecano’s starting role seemingly not up for debate in the eyes of Didier Deschamps.
Both defenders are keen to partner the Bayern Munich defender at the World Cup next year, and Liverpool could have used that to their advantage.
Arne Slot would, obviously, prioritise his team, but given the quality of Guehi, the Reds could easily have implemented a course of action that told Konate: ‘Don’t want to sign a new contract? Then your position in the team is up for grabs.’
Instead, Liverpool remain in a position in which the Frenchman’s future is unclear, but his importance to the team is anything but.
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.