Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate wants his future resolved before this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 26-year-old defender is on the verge of signing a new contract with the Anfield club, with his current terms set to expire at the end of this season, and is keen to wrap things up swiftly ahead of the curtain-raiser in two months’ time, according to a report in L’Equipe.
Whilst no agreement has yet been reached, it is becoming increasingly likely that he will return to Merseyside next season.
Konate currently earns around £150,000 a week and is seeking an increase to bring him closer to the likes of Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah among the club’s highest earners, according to reports.
Talks between Liverpool and Konate began in October 2024 and, despite several offers being tabled, they have yet to agree on a deal.
Liverpool’s initial contract extension offer was judged to be too low, prompting a period of uncertainty during which Konate was linked with clubs across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
The Frenchman had a difficult start to the campaign, and manager Arne Slot said he was ‘too much at the crime scene’ in damning quotes after a 3-3 draw at Leeds United
A new report has stated Konate’s desire to get his new contract with Liverpool wrapped up before this summer’s World Cup tournament gets underway on June 11
If his current contract were to expire on 30 June, he would become one of the sport’s most valuable free agents.
However, a fresh report from L’Equipe claims that Konate’s representatives have now reached a broad agreement with the club over a long-term contract.
The financial terms have reportedly been settled, with only the finer details left to finalise, and there is growing optimism within Liverpool that the deal will be completed before the end of the month.
The Frenchman had a difficult start to the campaign, and manager Arne Slot said he was ‘too much at the crime scene’ in damning quotes after a 3-3 draw at Leeds United.
He has since returned to something near his best, albeit despite a disappointing run of results for Liverpool.
‘We are in talks with him so that tells you what we want,’ Slot said in February. ‘It’s clear we would like him to stay but negotiations are ongoing so let’s see where that ends. We wouldn’t be in negotiations if we didn’t want him to stay.’
The Paris-born centre back has started 29 times under Slot this season, most frequently lining up alongside 34-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk, and has scored once.
He joined the Reds in 2021 for £36million from RB Leipzig after starting his career in France with Sochaux.
France’s World Cup begins with a Group I clash between them, the 2022 runners-up, and Senegal on June 16.
