Ibrahima Konate‘s talks over a new contract with Liverpool are yet to progress and the Frenchman is currently set to leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Konate’s representatives have been in ongoing contact with the club over a possible extension to a deal which expires on June 30, 2026.
But as it stands there has been “no breakthrough,” with The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reporting on the situation on Tuesday.
This comes with an update on Liverpool’s plans for the summer transfer window, with the expectation of a quiet January before a focus on reinforcing at centre-back ahead of the new campaign.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out of contract in 2027 meaning it could be another busy off-season in terms of signings.
Liverpool First-Team Contract Expiries
| Player | Contract Expires |
|---|---|
| Ibrahima Konate | 2026 |
| Andy Robertson | 2026 |
| Freddie Woodman | 2026 |
| Mohamed Salah | 2027 |
| Virgil van Dijk | 2027 |
| Alisson | 2027 |
| Joe Gomez | 2027 |
| Curtis Jones | 2027 |
| Wataru Endo | 2027 |
| Rio Ngumoha | 2028 |
| Alexis Mac Allister | 2028 |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | 2028 |
| Ryan Gravenberch | 2028 |
| Federico Chiesa | 2028 |
| Conor Bradley | 2029 |
| Florian Wirtz | 2030 |
| Jeremie Frimpong | 2030 |
| Cody Gakpo | 2030 |
| Milos Kerkez | 2030 |
| Alexander Isak | 2031 |
| Hugo Ekitike | 2031 |
| Giorgi Mamardashvili | 2031 |
| Giovanni Leoni | 2031 |
* Data accurate for Jan 2026 via Transfermarkt. Woodman includes club option.
Liverpool have been in talks with Konate’s camp for a number of months but the fact there have been no developments is particularly concerning.
However it cannot be overlooked that both Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah only ended lengthy negotiations with the club last season by signing new deals in April.
But it is not an ideal state of affairs regardless, with Liverpool facing uncertainty over another first-choice starter heading into 2026.
While Real Madrid have made clear they are no longer interested in Konate, the France international would have no shortage of suitors if he did opt to leave on a free transfer in 169 days.
Who are Liverpool targeting at centre-back?
The focus will be on tying him down to a new contract but the club’s hierarchy will also be aware of achieving value for a player who will seek top-level wages.
Liverpool are known to hold an interest in Crystal Palace‘s Marc Guehi ahead of the summer, while the likes of Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, Wolfsburg’s Konstantinos Koulierakis and Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande have also been linked.
This Is Anfield understands there are currently no plans to move for Ecuador international Ordonez despite claims earlier this month.
The need to secure at least one new centre-back signing will only increase the urgency for a decision over Konate’s future.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will impose a deadline in their talks with the No. 5, but there is a sense that in order to avoid falling behind as a number of other clubs circle Guehi, they will need to make a final call sooner rather than later.