(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Transfers

Liverpool can't let Ibrahima Konate leave if this teammate says goodbye before deadline

Andrew Beharie
Andrew Beharie

Andrew is a lifelong Red who has been reporting on Liverpool News since joining Breaking Media in 2025. He graduated with a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland in 2024 and gained his NCTJ Diploma in Journalism in the same year. He has previously covered Blyth Spartans AFC and South Shields FC for the Non-League Paper and worked as head of media at Seaham Red Star FC and Willington Quay Saints FC. Andrew, when he can, still attends Liverpool home and away games with his friends and family, singing his heart out while the Reds carve out late winners on a regular basis.

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Ibrahima Konate has been a topic of discussion on and off the pitch for Liverpool.

Konate has been criticised for his poor performances for Liverpool this season, as the Reds' backline has been shaky to say the least so far.

Liverpool won 3-2 against Newcastle United at St. James' Park, where Konate again looked shaky after he put up a poor performance on the opening night against Bournemouth.

Off the pitch, Konate is linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid in 2026, but Liverpool will need to get his contract situation sorted as soon as possible after the bombshell news that was revealed about his teammate.

Ibrahima Konate playing for Liverpool
Konate is linked with a move to Real Madrid for free in 2026 (Credit: Imago)

Joe Gomez could be on his way to Milan

Joe Gomez has been another Liverpool defender linked with a move away, having shown a desire to depart Anfield last summer.

Gomez provided vital cover during December while Konate was injured, and looked set to stay on Merseyside after Jarell Quansah departed for Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that AC Milan have made a formal bid to Liverpool for Gomez, with the defender said to be open to a move.

The England defender will not be allowed to leave if Marc Guehi doesn't arrive from Crystal Palace before the deadline, as Liverpool would not be stocked up at centre-half.

Liverpool would need another centre back in Konate leaves

In an ideal world, Konate would have signed a new contract at Anfield by now, and a situation similar to that of Trent Alexander-Arnold last season would be avoided.

However, that has not happened, and now there is a realistic scenario where both Gomez and the Frenchman are gone within the next 12 months.

Liverpool's centre backs' contract situations include:

  • Virgil van Dijk - 2027
  • Ibrahima Konate - 2026
  • Joe Gomez - 2027
  • Giovanni Leoni - 2031

Liverpool cannot afford to drag this saga out like Alexander-Arnold's did last season, and if Konate leaves they need to source a replacement as soon as possible, but the financial cost would not help given the money spent this window by the Reds.

With Virgil van Dijk's contract expiring in 2027, Liverpool need to gain back control over this contract situation, starting with Konate.

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Joe Gomez
Ibrahima Konate
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