Liverpool’s contract extension negotiations with Ibrahima Konaté are facing significant hurdles. Currently, the two sides have not yet reached any agreement on a new contract and remain a considerable distance away from making substantial progress. Regardless, the close attention and strategic patience of La Liga giant Real Madrid behind the scenes have added further uncertainty to the contract extension.
From the club’s perspective, Liverpool has been consistently implementing a salary structure control policy in recent years. Particularly with core players such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah entering the later stages of their careers, the management has become increasingly cautious about offering long-term contracts and top-tier salaries. Konaté’s current weekly wage ranks in the middle tier of the Reds’ squad, yet his team is seeking a salary level that could approach the club’s top wage bracket—a potential conflict with the club’s stance.
From the player’s standpoint, Konaté is in the prime of his career. His physical attributes and tactical adaptability have already attracted interest from several elite clubs. If he cannot secure a long-term contract that meets his expectations at Liverpool, moving to a club that offers a higher competitive platform and better financial terms would naturally be a reasonable choice. Notably, Konaté’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Real Madrid’s involvement has further complicated the situation. The Blancos have maintained a long-standing interest in Konaté, and their sports management is also looking to utilize a free transfer strategy in the final year of his contract.
Additionally, Konaté’s French background has fostered good relationships with the French-speaking players in Real Madrid’s squad (such as Kylian Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouameni). More importantly, Real Madrid has no urgency to make a move in the winter transfer window; instead, they can wait for Konaté to enter the final year of his contract and sign the French international on a free transfer next summer.
