Ibrahima Konate appears destined to leave Liverpool this summer after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract at Anfield. The French international, who joined the Merseyside club in 2021 and has been a vital component of Liverpool's defence under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, will become a free agent on July 1 if he cannot finalise new terms with the club.
Konate was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid last summer but ultimately remained at Anfield, prompting several months of negotiations between Liverpool and the defender as the club sought to secure his long-term future. The centre-half hinted in April that a deal was close to being finalised, despite widespread speculation that he was leaning towards an exit.
He stated: 'There are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement. I think everyone wished for that for as soon as possible but we are in a good way. For sure, there is a big chance that I'm here next season. This is what I've always wanted.'
Despite those assurances, Konate now looks set to depart Anfield when his contract expires at the end of June, joining the likes of Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson in bidding farewell to the club. Salah and Robertson, each of whom will be remembered as legends of the Premier League giants, received emotional send-offs during Liverpool's final match of the season against Brentford last weekend.
It seems, however, that Konate, who has helped the Reds win three domestic cups and a Premier League title during his tenure, will now miss out on a similar farewell. Despite earlier reports linking him to the Bernabeu, it is understood that Paris Saint-Germain is the most likely destination for Konate this summer.
PSG, who are preparing for their monumental Champions League final against Arsenal on Saturday, already boast a wealth of talented defenders in their ranks, including Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Illia Zabarnyi at the heart of defence. The move would allow Konate to return to Paris, his birthplace, after representing France during their World Cup campaign in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
