Contract delay puts Liverpool at risk of another high-profile exit | OneFootball

Konaté Contract Concerns Grow as Liverpool Defensive Depth Faces Uncertainty

Konaté Stalls on New Liverpool Deal

Liverpool’s efforts to tie down Ibrahima Konaté to a new long-term contract have hit a stumbling block, with the French defender reportedly disappointed by the structure of the initial offer. As reported by The Guardian, Konaté has yet to agree terms with the club, raising concerns that another first-team regular could follow Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Anfield.

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Konaté, 26, enters the final year of his deal next month and has rejected Liverpool’s opening proposal, which is believed to have been weighted heavily on performance-related incentives. His representatives are understood to be pushing for a more substantial basic wage, especially following a season where he featured prominently in both the Premier League and Europe.

Liverpool’s hierarchy had delayed negotiations with Konaté due to contract priorities involving Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, both of whom signed two-year extensions in April. But as attention shifted to shoring up the long-term spine of the team, the delay may have contributed to the current impasse.

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Defensive Situation Complicated by Potential Departures

Konaté’s situation has been made more complex by recent and pending exits in the defensive department. Caoimhín Kelleher has already departed for Brentford in an £18m deal, while Andy Robertson is also entering the final 12 months of his contract. Liverpool are open to selling the Scottish left-back if he signals a desire to leave, with Atlético Madrid interested.

The exit of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m is expected to be confirmed shortly, while the club are closely monitoring Marc Guéhi at Crystal Palace. However, with Newcastle and Tottenham also keen, any move will depend on swift decision-making from Liverpool’s side.

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Liverpool Unwilling to Break Wage Structure

The club’s position remains firm. Talks with Konaté are expected to resume later in the summer, but there is no intention to “overpay” or alter the club’s existing wage structure. After investing over £145.5m on deals for Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, there is a clear desire to retain fiscal discipline even amid a summer of change.

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That discipline, however, could come at a cost if negotiations drag on or another high-profile exit becomes a reality.

Centre-Back Situation Needs Resolving

With uncertainty around Konaté, the likely exit of Quansah, and questions surrounding Robertson, Liverpool’s central defence is emerging as a key area requiring attention before the season begins. Arne Slot, entering his first full campaign, will want clarity before August, especially given the demands of competing on multiple fronts.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

The Konaté situation feels all too familiar. We’ve seen how delays and rigid wage policies have previously cost the club dearly in terms of talent retention. While it’s admirable that Liverpool wish to uphold a defined wage structure, the context cannot be ignored. Konaté, when fit, is arguably the most athletic and aggressive defender in the squad, and with Van Dijk not getting any younger, letting another core defensive piece potentially leave feels negligent.

Losing Trent was bad enough, even if the fee softened the blow. But to see Konaté enter the final year of his deal while the club juggles recruitment and tries to land alternatives like Guéhi is an unnecessary gamble. Players talk. Agents talk. If top talents feel undervalued, it risks damaging Liverpool’s pull in future windows.

At a time when Arsenal, Manchester City and others are investing heavily in depth, Liverpool must not allow avoidable contract stand-offs to create further instability. Slot’s first season should be about establishing consistency, not patching defensive gaps caused by off-field mismanagement. If Konaté leaves, it will be hard not to see it as another self-inflicted wound.