Liverpool are set to lose Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer next summer after contract negotiations between the club and the France international broke down.
Despite months of discussions and optimism from both sides, no agreement has been reached over a new deal, with differences over wages and the defender's valuation ultimately proving too significant to overcome.
Konate, 27, joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 in a £35 million move and has become a key figure in the club's defence. However, his contract is now set to expire in June, allowing him to leave Anfield for nothing.
There had been hope that Konate would commit his future to Liverpool.
Following the Merseyside derby in April, the centre-back revealed he was "close to an agreement" and suggested there was a "big chance" he would remain at the club beyond this season.
Negotiations, which began in November 2023, have since stalled completely.
The French defender is now expected to follow Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah out of the club as Liverpool prepare for another high-profile departure without receiving a transfer fee.
The situation mirrors Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit last year, when the England international joined Real Madrid shortly before the expiration of his contract.
While Konate's departure will leave a significant void in Arne Slot's squad, Liverpool believe they have sufficient cover at centre-back.
The Reds strengthened their defensive options with the arrival of Giovanni Leoni from Parma last year and completed the £60 million signing of highly-rated French defender Jeremy Jacquet this summer.
However, injuries have complicated the picture.
Leoni, 19, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury shortly after arriving at Anfield and is expected to be sidelined long-term, while Jacquet missed the final four months of last season with a shoulder injury after making 21 appearances for Rennes.
As things stand, captain Virgil van Dijk, 34, and Joe Gomez, 29, remain Liverpool's only experienced senior central defenders.
Liverpool's hierarchy reportedly believes resources are better allocated elsewhere in the squad rather than committing to a costly new contract for Konate.
Replacing Mohamed Salah and addressing the attacking gap left by Hugo Ekitike's long-term injury are viewed as more pressing concerns heading into the new season.
That stance has contributed to the collapse of negotiations and leaves Liverpool facing another difficult contract situation.
Konate's expected departure continues a trend that has seen Liverpool lose several established first-team players for nothing in recent years.
Roberto Firmino left as a free agent in 2023 despite Jurgen Klopp's desire to keep him at the club. Georginio Wijnaldum also departed on a free transfer in 2021 after playing every Premier League game in his final season.
Other notable names to leave without generating a transfer fee include Emre Can, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Naby Keita, Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Only a few months ago, Konate publicly expressed confidence that a new deal would be agreed, insisting he wanted to remain at Liverpool despite speculation linking him with Real Madrid.
Arne Slot also described the defender as a "vital" member of his squad and made it clear the club wanted him to stay.
Instead, Liverpool now appear set to lose one of their prime-age defenders for free.
For the club, it represents another missed opportunity to either secure a valuable asset on a long-term contract or generate a substantial transfer fee. For Konate, it means leaving the club he repeatedly stated he wanted to remain at.
With the World Cup approaching, the French international is expected to attract significant interest from Europe's elite clubs, all of whom will be aware of the rare opportunity to sign a defender of his calibre without paying a transfer fee.
What once looked like a routine contract renewal has become another costly lesson in squad planning for Liverpool, with both club and player emerging from the situation disappointed.
