The 26-year-old Frenchman, whose deal expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, has rejected Liverpool’s latest contract offer, prioritizing a move to Real Madrid, according to reports from Foot Mercato and other sources.
The news, confirmed on June 26, 2025, has sparked intense debate, with supporters expressing shock and frustration over the potential loss of a key defensive pillar.
Konaté, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £35 million, has been a mainstay alongside Virgil van Dijk, forming a robust partnership that helped secure the 2024/25 Premier League title.
His 78 clearances, 45 interceptions, and 88% pass accuracy last season underscored his importance to Arne Slot’s system. However, contract talks have stalled, with Konaté disappointed by Liverpool’s offer, which leaned heavily on performance-based bonuses rather than the £200,000 weekly base salary he sought, comparable to Mohamed Salah and van Dijk’s recent deals. Social media posts indicate Konaté’s camp is firm, with one source stating he’s “set on a new challenge” after five years at Anfield.
Real Madrid, fresh off signing Trent Alexander-Arnold for £8.4 million, are the frontrunners to land Konaté, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona also monitoring the situation. The prospect of reuniting with Alexander-Arnold at the Bernabeu is reportedly appealing, though Liverpool are desperate to avoid a repeat of losing a star for free.
Former Reds striker Stan Collymore has urged the club to sell Konaté now, suggesting Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi as a replacement, arguing, “If Konaté doesn’t want to commit to Liverpool’s wage structure, let him go.” Fans on social media are divided—some call Konaté “irreplaceable,” citing his physicality and 24 France caps, while others, like user Poorscousertommy, argue his defending “costs Liverpool dear” and support a sale for £40-50 million.
Liverpool’s defensive depth is already strained after Jarell Quansah’s £35 million move to Bayer Leverkusen and Andy Robertson’s ACL injury, leaving van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Milos Kerkez as senior options. With talks for Guéhi advancing, the Reds face a critical juncture.
Konaté’s decision has stunned supporters, with one fan posting, “Losing Ibou after Trent? Heartbreaking.” As Slot navigates this crisis, Liverpool’s resolve to retain their star defender or cash in this summer will shape their title defense.
