Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been left disappointed by the club's first offer of a new contract. Konate, 26, sees his current deal expire next summer and he's been linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid.
Uncertainty surrounding the Frenchman's future intensified last week when it emerged that Liverpool are weighing up a bid for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Like Konate, the England international has entered the last 12 months of his contract and Palace are ready to cash in.
Newcastle and Tottenham have previously made bids, with Palace now braced for Liverpool to make a formal approach. Guehi, 24, could end up being Konate's replacement, as the ex-RB Leipzig star has rejected their initial offer of a new contract.
The Guardian report that Konate, who joined the Reds for £36m in 2021, is unhappy with the structure of the proposal. Konate's representatives are pushing for higher wages, with the prospect of following in Trent Alexander-Arnold's footsteps a possibility.
Madrid convinced Alexander-Arnold to snub a new deal with Liverpool and although they ultimately paid a £10m fee to sign him one month early ahead of the Club World Cup, it was only a fraction of the star's market value. Talks with Alexander-Arnold last season were part of why the Reds delayed negotiations with Konate.
READ MORE: Liverpool immediately have salt rubbed in wounds after £50m transfer collapse
READ MORE: Milos Kerkez flies in to complete Liverpool transfer and hand Arne Slot two new problems
Liverpool's focus was on the three players who were due to be out of contract in 2025 - namely Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah. The Reds were successful with the latter pair, as they both agreed new two-year deals in the spring.
Madrid have made a habit of signing big-name players upon the expiry of their contracts, with Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba all arriving via free transfers in recent years. Konate recently dropped hint on his immediate future, having helped Liverpool win the Premier League title.
Should Liverpool sign Marc Guehi and sell Ibrahima Konate? Have your say in the comments section.
"Next season, we go again," he posted on Instagram. As for his long-term future at Anfield, Konate told French broadcaster Canal Plus last month: "This is a conversation with the club and we will see."
Arne Slot doesn't want to lose Konate, who he believes can get even better. "He's already very good. He's a centre-back who, without even touching the ball, is impressive because he is so strong and tall," the Reds boss explained in January.
"One of the things he could improve is his play with the ball, bringing the ball out from the back. I would not say he was poor in that but he could improve and go to another level."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
