Liverpool star will SNUB contract offer

Liverpool are facing an imminent contract crisis around several first-team stars.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract in summer 2025 and so far no agreement has been reached over a new deal for any of them.

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But there are problems further down the line too with 2026 set to become another unwelcome contract deadline for sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot.

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Ibrahima Konate signed for the Reds from RB Leipzig back in 2021 and this season has emerged as one of the best centre-backs in the world alongside Van Dijk.

With a contract expiring in 2026, the club need to be looking to tie down Konate for the long term as soon as possible. However, they have been so far unsuccessful in persuading him to sign a fresh contract.

Konate, 25, has been vocal about the possibility that he will LEAVE Anfield in the near future, telling Telefoot that he was flattered by the attention from rival clubs.

As revealed by Anfield Watch, hometown team, Paris Saint-Germain, are interested in adding him to the ranks and Real Madrid are also known to be keen on the France international.

Konate WON'T renew Liverpool deal

"Hearing that big clubs like these are interested in me is very flattering,” he said. “Now I'm focusing on this season to win everything. Afterwards, I'll let my agents take care of my contractual situation.”

And now comes a bombshell report from Madrid stating that Konate has RULED OUT renewing with Liverpool and set his sights on a move to Real. That eventuality would mean the Reds need to SELL Konate this summer or else risk losing him for free in 2026 when his current deal runs out.

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“Real Madrid know that the defender is receptive to the idea of ​​signing for the Madrid club and ruling out renewing his contract with the Anfield team,” reads a report in Defensa Central.

“This is very important for the plans of the Merengue team, especially because the sporting authorities are convinced of the need to sign a defender.”

Konate to follow Trent?

Madrid have been struggling at centre-back due to injuries to Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Eder Militao this season, leading to youngster Raul Asencio being thrust into the action and Aurelien Tchouameni being utilised as a make-shift central defender.

The report adds that club president Florentino Perez and director Jose Angel Sanchez will “seriously consider” the arrival of Konate. However, there is currently a doubt whether they will make an attempt to sign him this summer or else wait until his contract runs down and sign him on a free.

That is what is likely to happen in the case of Alexander-Arnold, with the 26-year-old being seen as the No1 transfer priority at the Bernabeu this summer. Liverpool can ill afford to lose Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold AND Konate, so contract talks must be moved on with quickly.

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