Liverpool could be heading for another tense contract saga, with reports suggesting Ibrahima Konaté’s future remains unresolved despite ongoing negotiations.

The French defender, who cost the Reds £36 million when he joined from RB Leipzig in 2021, has less than two years left on his current deal, and talks over an extension have dragged on with no breakthrough in sight.

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Contract Talks Dragging On

According to Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele, Liverpool opened discussions with Konaté’s representatives last November, but almost a year later, an agreement has yet to be reached.

> “Konaté’s future hangs in the balance. Talks are ongoing, but nothing has been signed, and there’s no clear indication on which way this is heading,” Steele explained.

While Liverpool remain keen to tie him down to a long-term contract, the uncertainty is causing unease, especially after last season’s drawn-out negotiations with Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

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Real Madrid & PSG Circling

Reports from Empire of the Kop and CaughtOffside have linked both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain with interest in Konaté. Steele added:

> “With respect to Konaté, he may not be at Salah or Van Dijk’s level in terms of profile, but losing him on a free would still be a huge blow. Real Madrid’s interest is genuine.”

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Why It Matters for Liverpool

Konaté remains a vital figure in Arne Slot’s defensive setup, particularly after Liverpool failed in their late move for Marc Guehi before the transfer window closed. Despite criticism for some shaky early-season displays, the 26-year-old reminded fans of his quality with a standout performance in the hard-fought win over Arsenal last weekend.

Given his importance, the Reds can ill afford to let his contract situation linger. With the transfer window shut until January, the hope is that sporting director Richard Hughes can secure an agreement before the end of the year to prevent another long-running saga.

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🔴 Liverpool fans endured sleepless nights over Salah and Van Dijk’s futures not too long ago — could Konaté be the next big name to cause contract chaos at Anfield?