Liverpool star’s contract DEMAND will split the fans

Liverpool have a major decision to make after one star made a massive contract demand. This one will split the fans.

Liverpool are dealing with more contract situations right now than they'd like to. There are the big three, of course - Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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The latter, admittedly, feels like a write-off. Every report claims Alexander-Arnold's head has been turned towards Real Madrid. The fact that, unlike the other two, never does post-match interviews nor answers questions on his future anywhere suggests he hasn't got good news for us, either.

Salah and Van Dijk, though, both appear to want to stay. Liverpool just aren't sure they can afford to pay big contracts to two players over the age of 32.

But these three aren't the only problem situations. Another massive one is Ibrahima Konate, who enters the final year of his contract this summer.

There's understandable interest from Paris Saint-Germain, too, as exclusively revealed by Anfield Watch. Konate is from Paris, while he fits their current transfer strategy to perfection.

Liverpool do want to keep the centre-back. They just face something of an uphill struggle to do so - it will take a large amount of money to tie Konate down.

And now we know just how much.

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Ibou Konate's contract demands

The Times reports that Konate is chasing £200k per week in his new contract. That has yet to be accepted by Liverpool, who remain in talks with the French defender.

And those are demands that will naturally split Liverpool fans. On the one hand, Konate has been sensational at times this season and the idea of losing him this summer hurts.

You've got to pay the money to keep the best players. Here's that in a nutshell.

But on the other hand, Konate isn't really worth that. Liverpool only have two players paid at least £200k, for context: Salah and Van Dijk.

Van Dijk, pretty unequivocally the world's best defender over the duration of his last contract, has been on £220k, per Capology. Konate wants near-parity.

Though, salaries have been warped by some 'questionable' offers made by Chelsea and Manchester United. Wesley Fofana, a far lesser defender than Konate, earns £200k. Matthijs de Ligt earns £195k.

No one can blame the Reds' no.5 for wanting that kind of money because he clearly deserves it. It's worth mentioning that a couple of Manchester City defenders also earn in this range, though Liverpool shouldn't compare wage structure to City (they're more creative with their income).

Liverpool have a lot to think about this summer. The idea of re-signing Salah, Van Dijk and Konate to £200k-a-week contracts seems incredibly unlikely, after all.

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At the same time, these are clearly the kinds of salaries elite Premier League players command.