Ibrahima Konate’s long-running contract drama at Liverpool appears to be approaching its conclusion, with the French centre-back publicly confirming that an agreement with the club is close and that he fully expects to remain at Anfield next season.

The 26-year-old’s existing deal expires this summer, a situation that had kept Real Madrid and several other elite European clubs monitoring his situation throughout a difficult personal season for the defender.

The news broke in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-1 Merseyside derby victory, with Konate speaking directly to reporters about his situation — removing most of the ambiguity that had persisted for months. “My future? To be fair, 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,” he told the BBC. “I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible but we are in a good way. For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season.”

He was also asked whether his faith in Liverpool’s direction was strong enough to commit his long-term future. His answer was characteristically direct. “It’s Liverpool,” Konate said. The comment, brief as it was, speaks to a bond with the club that has survived one of the more turbulent periods in his time on Merseyside — a season disrupted by injury, inconsistent form and the broader upheaval of losing Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson to confirmed departures.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that the deal is at an advanced stage, with the main salary structure already agreed and only fine details such as contract duration and performance bonuses remaining to be resolved. Konate himself drew the comparison to last season’s negotiations with Virgil van Dijk and Salah, both of whom also extended in April rather than earlier in the campaign. “With Virgil and Mo last season it was exactly the same. I think they signed the contract in April and this is maybe how the club wants it,” he said.

The implications for Liverpool’s summer planning are substantial. Keeping Konate — who would cost a replacement buyer upwards of £70 million according to multiple assessments — effectively frees the club to direct its transfer budget toward the pressing vacancies elsewhere, namely wide attacking positions and potentially a new goalkeeper. With van Dijk contracted for one more season and young centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni arriving as long-term options, the defensive spine will have genuine continuity at a moment when so much else about the squad is changing.

Ibrahima Konate’s long-running contract drama at Liverpool appears to be approaching its conclusion, with the French centre-back publicly confirming that an agreement with the club is close and that he fully expects to remain at Anfield next season. The 26-year-old’s existing deal expires this summer, a situation that had kept Real Madrid and several other elite European clubs monitoring his situation throughout a difficult personal season for the defender.

The news broke in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-1 Merseyside derby victory, with Konate speaking directly to reporters about his situation — removing most of the ambiguity that had persisted for months. “My future? To be fair, 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,” he told the BBC. “I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible but we are in a good way. For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season.”

He was also asked whether his faith in Liverpool’s direction was strong enough to commit his long-term future. His answer was characteristically direct. “It’s Liverpool,” Konate said. The comment, brief as it was, speaks to a bond with the club that has survived one of the more turbulent periods in his time on Merseyside — a season disrupted by injury, inconsistent form and the broader upheaval of losing Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson to confirmed departures.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that the deal is at an advanced stage, with the main salary structure already agreed and only fine details such as contract duration and performance bonuses remaining to be resolved. Konate himself drew the comparison to last season’s negotiations with Virgil van Dijk and Salah, both of whom also extended in April rather than earlier in the campaign. “With Virgil and Mo last season it was exactly the same. I think they signed the contract in April and this is maybe how the club wants it,” he said.

The implications for Liverpool’s summer planning are substantial. Keeping Konate — who would cost a replacement buyer upwards of £70 million according to multiple assessments — effectively frees the club to direct its transfer budget toward the pressing vacancies elsewhere, namely wide attacking positions and potentially a new goalkeeper. With van Dijk contracted for one more season and young centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni arriving as long-term options, the defensive spine will have genuine continuity at a moment when so much else about the squad is changing.

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