Liverpool are applying significant pressure on defender Ibrahima Konate to decide his future, with German giants Bayern Munich watching the situation with keen interest. The French centre-back's current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, creating a pressing dilemma for the Anfield hierarchy.
The Contract Countdown
According to a report from Christian Falk of BILD, Liverpool have tabled a new contract offer but are growing impatient for an answer. With no extension signed, the club faces the very real prospect of losing the £35 million signing from RB Leipzig for nothing in the summer. To avoid this financial hit, the Reds are reportedly prepared to offload Konate in the January transfer window.
'Bayern will be watching very closely how the decision is made,' Falk stated. 'Liverpool are putting on the pressure - they definitely want to sell him if he doesn't sign a new contract soon. They absolutely don't want to lose a player on a free transfer.'
A Domino Effect in the Transfer Market
The potential departure of Konate would trigger an immediate chain reaction in Liverpool's transfer plans. The report indicates that the funds from any January sale would be immediately reinvested in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.
Intriguingly, the situation at Bayern Munich mirrors that at Liverpool. The future of their own French defender, Dayot Upamecano, is also uncertain, with his contract likewise expiring in June. Should Upamecano depart, Bayern would enter the market for a replacement, with Konate and Guehi both on their shortlist. Adding another layer of complexity, Real Madrid are also said to be monitoring all three defenders.
Konate's Inconsistent Season
Konate's form has been a talking point this season. The 24-year-old appeared to have turned a corner under new manager Arne Slot, delivering strong performances in clean sheets against Aston Villa and in the Champions League, where he notably stifled Kylian Mbappe.
However, his performances have since been inconsistent. He has struggled in matches against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, and his overall standards have dipped this campaign. Errors against opponents like Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Galatasaray have highlighted a concerning error-prone streak.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher offered a pragmatic view on the situation. 'I'd like him to stay but if he doesn't stay, Liverpool will sign someone else. Liverpool won't fall apart if Konate leaves,' Carragher told Daily Mail Sport. He added, 'He's not Virgil van Dijk. He's a good centre back who you hope will sign, but if he doesn't want to sign, Liverpool will be absolutely fine.'
Since his arrival in 2021, Konate has made 148 appearances for Liverpool, featuring 16 times so far this season. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether he adds to that tally in the long term or becomes the latest high-profile name to enter a volatile transfer market.
