Updated: 29 May 2026 07:58 BST |
5 min read
Liverpool’s busy summer transfer window has become even more hectic with the news that Ibrahima Konate is set to follow Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson in leaving the club as a free agent.
While Salah’s contract is being ripped up at the end of the season, Robertson and Konate are both coming to the end of their deals.
The France international’s future had been subject to major speculation over the course of the season, with Real Madrid initially interested as Liverpool fought to keep him, but Sky Sports reports that he will now walk away before deciding on his next steps.
Talks had been held with the Anfield side over a contract extension, but the report indicates that the parties were unable to find an agreement.
Speaking in April, Konate had hinted that he was optimistic and agreement could be reached:
“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 long as possible but we are in a good way.
“There is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard [Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director] what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.”
PSG are thought to be the leading candidate to sign Konate as a free agent.
Why Konate’s exit matters and what it means for Liverpool’s transfer plans
Konate’s decision to leave Liverpool for nothing promises to have a ripple effect that will impact not only the coming transfer window for the Anfield club but also future ones.
It may, however, press Slot’s side into desperate action this summer in an attempt to find central defensive cover.
The Reds’ defence is shaping up with veteran Virgil van Dijk remaining their leader in the middle of the rearguard along with Giovani Leoni, who should return from serious injury, and Jeremy Jacquet, who was recruited in January in a €64 million move from Rennes. Like Leoni, Jacquet will be returning after an extended period out.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will be desperately short of experience in this role, particularly if Joe Gomez, whose contract is up in 2027, decides to leave the club.
The Reds look at least one central defender short.
Other additions are already needed. Robertson’s exit means that a left-back is required to challenge Milos Kerkez for a starting spot while the possibility of a new right-back has also been discussed following Jeremie Frimpong’s disappointing debut campaign and an injury to Connor Bradley.
Further forward, more depth in the heart of the midfield is a necessity and the left wing also needs work.
Liverpool have no shortage of work to do in the transfer market this summer to become competitive once more, and Konate’s impending exit has simply given them another problem to consider.
Konate’s Liverpool exit: A timeline
18 August, 2025: Real Madrid are reported to be close to signing Konate in a €40m deal. A transfer never materialises but the player only has a year left on his deal at Liverpool.
7 September, 2025: Konate jokes that Kylian Mbappe is calling him every two hours to get him to sign for Real Madrid.
16 September, 2025: Reports in Spain state that Real Madrid are ready to go ‘all-out’ to sign Konate in January.
16 November, 2025: Konate announces that his situation will be resolved ‘very soon’.
17 November, 2025: Konate is given a take-it-or-leave it offer by Liverpool.
28 November, 2025: Real Madrid give up on trying to sign the centre-back.
2 April, 2026: After a long period of comparative silence, it is finally reported that an agreement between Konate and Liverpool is ‘not imminent’.
12 April, 2026: David Ornstein reports the situation between Konate and Liverpool is at an impasse and that the player will leave as a free agent.
