Liverpool Set for ‘Final Talks’ Over Deal for £35m Defender – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool in Make-or-Break Talks Over Ibrahima Konate Future

Liverpool are preparing what has been described as “final talks” with Ibrahima Konate in an effort to secure the defender’s long-term future at Anfield, according to Empire of the Kop. The Frenchman, now in the final year of his contract, has become a cornerstone of Arne Slot’s back line, yet uncertainty continues to loom over his next move.

The club’s hierarchy, led by FSG, are reportedly willing to offer a significant pay rise to the 26-year-old, who is currently on a reported £70,000-per-week. This figure is modest compared to some of his team-mates, especially considering Konate was the sixth most-used player during the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning campaign.

European Heavyweights Ready to Pounce

If no agreement is reached, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are expected to make their move next summer when Konate could leave on a free transfer. Real Madrid are particularly keen, although Marca note they would prefer to wait until 2026 rather than pay a transfer fee now.

Liverpool, however, are determined to avoid a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation, which saw the academy graduate run down his contract before joining the Spanish giants earlier this summer. The Reds have already rejected a £43m offer from Chelsea, refusing to strengthen a domestic rival.

Photo: IMAGO

Sources cited by Empire of the Kop believe Konate would favour a move to Spain, yet his partnership with Virgil van Dijk has been crucial to the club’s defensive solidity. Losing him without financial return would be a significant setback, especially after the recent departures of key figures including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher.

Why Konate’s Role is Vital to Slot’s Liverpool

Since his £35m arrival from RB Leipzig in 2021, Konate has been a central figure in Liverpool’s evolution. His blend of physical dominance and positional intelligence has been instrumental in Slot’s high-press, high-line system. The 2024/25 campaign saw him form an “imperious” partnership with Van Dijk, creating the defensive platform that underpinned Liverpool’s first league title under their new manager.

With Giovanni Leoni set to join from Parma for £26m, the Reds will return to a full complement of four senior centre-backs. However, Leoni’s arrival is seen as strengthening depth, not as a replacement for the number 5. The idea of losing Konate now, or worse on a free in 2026, is seen by many inside the club as avoidable and potentially damaging.

Urgency Required in Anfield Boardroom

Liverpool’s recent transfer windows have been marked by both ambition and upheaval. Slot’s squad has already undergone significant change this summer, with high-profile departures balanced by fresh signings. Yet the stability of the defensive unit remains critical, and Konate is central to that vision.

As one Anfield insider put it, “Hopefully all parties involved can reach an amicable agreement which’d keep the France international on Merseyside throughout his peak footballing years.” That sentiment captures the mood among supporters, who have already seen too many big names depart in recent months.

The coming days will be telling. If these “final talks” prove decisive, Liverpool could secure not only the services of one of Europe’s leading defenders but also send a strong message about their ambition to remain at the summit of English football. Failure to do so risks repeating painful history.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this situation feels far too familiar. We have only just come to terms with the departures of Trent, Diaz and Nunez, not to mention the unthinkable tragedy of losing Diogo Jota. The last thing we need is to watch another key player drift away because the club could not tie him down in time.

Konate is not just a good centre-back, he is the perfect complement to Van Dijk. When both are fit, there are few partnerships in world football as commanding. His pace, physicality and aerial ability make him irreplaceable in Slot’s set-up. Losing him on a free would be a massive blow and an avoidable one at that.

The board must realise that securing Konate’s signature is not simply a financial decision. It is about keeping the backbone of a title-winning side intact. We know Real Madrid will be circling, and PSG too, but Liverpool can and should make him feel valued enough to stay.

Leoni might turn into a brilliant defender, but he is here to learn, not to step into Konate’s boots just yet. The hope among the Kop is that these final talks are more than posturing, that FSG follow through with the kind of offer that makes the player feel respected and central to our plans. If we are to defend the title this season, keeping Ibrahima Konate should be a non-negotiable priority.