Rodri: Liverpool Offers Pay Rise to Keep Konaté; Refusal to Renew Will See Him SOLD This Summer

Liverpool have upped the ante in their bid to retain Ibrahima Konaté, putting a pay rise on the table for the renewal talks. With the French international centre-back entering the final year of his contract, the Reds have issued an ultimatum: if this round of negotiations still falls through, he’ll be put up for sale this summer.
Anfield is clearly reluctant to let their key man go – not only have they tabled a new contract early, but they’ve made it clear they’ll never allow him to leave on a free transfer next summer. After all, last season’s Premier League champions have long signaled their desire to extend Konaté’s stay, eager to keep him manning the defense on Merseyside.
Yet this renewal saga is far from straightforward: Konaté has already turned down Liverpool’s first offer. Even though the Reds have reignited talks with a firm stance, the player’s intentions remain up in the air. To complicate matters, Real Madrid are lurking in the wings, keeping a close eye on Konaté – the Blancos have made it known they’d pounce immediately if he decides to leave Arne Slot’s side.
The price standoff adds another layer of intrigue: Spanish media previously revealed Liverpool are demanding at least €50 million for Konaté, but Real Madrid have no intention of meeting that figure. With the player’s contract nearing its end and Konaté himself said to favor a move to Madrid, the La Liga giants feel they hold all the cards, offering at most €20-25 million. Los Blancos originally planned to wait until 2026, when David Alaba’s contract expires, before reassessing Antonio Rüdiger’s future. However, Konaté’s availability has led them to consider a summer move.
Caught between Liverpool’s pay-rise ultimatum and Real Madrid’s lowball tactics, Konaté stands at the crossroads of renewal and transfer. This summer, the Reds’ patience is set for an ultimate test.