Ibrahima Konaté has revealed he is “close to an agreement” on a new Liverpool contract, with the France international indicating there is a strong likelihood he will remain at Anfield beyond this season.
The 26-year-old centre-back, whose current deal expires this summer, joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in a £35m move five years ago and has since become a key figure in the squad.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-1 Merseyside derby win over Everton, Konaté dismissed speculation surrounding his future, insisting his intention has always been to stay.
“For a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,” Konaté said. “There is a big chance that I’m here next season. This is what I’ve always wanted.”
He also suggested that internal discussions with sporting director Richard Hughes have been ongoing for months, long before public speculation intensified.
Despite concerns over delays, Konaté hinted that the timeline mirrors previous high-profile renewals at the club, including those of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
“It’s exactly the same situation. This is maybe how the club want it,” he added.
Liverpool have faced increasing pressure in recent years to secure long-term deals for key players, with contract negotiations becoming a recurring talking point during a period of transition following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
Since arriving on Merseyside, Konaté has made 113 Premier League appearances, playing a vital role in Liverpool’s recent successes, including:
While Liverpool are set to finish this campaign without silverware, they remain on course for Champions League qualification, currently sitting fifth—seven points clear of Chelsea.
“It’s been a bad season for the standards of Liverpool,” Konaté admitted. “If we finish in the top four, we won’t be happy.”
Konaté also opened up about a difficult personal period following the death of his father in January. Despite being granted compassionate leave, the defender was prepared to return early due to Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis.
“If everyone knew exactly what happened to me, they could understand the sacrifices I’ve made for this club,” he said.
His emotional return was marked by a poignant moment at Anfield, where he was seen in tears celebrating a goal against Newcastle.
After a challenging 2025 season and links with a potential move to Real Madrid, Konaté’s form has improved significantly in recent months. With interest from the Spanish giants cooling, the defender has re-established himself as a crucial part of Liverpool’s backline.
His resurgence, combined with progress in contract talks, will come as a major boost for Liverpool fans as the club looks to rebuild and compete for major honours next season.
