Liverpool Offers Konaté One of the Club’s Top Salaries, Insisting Sincerity Has Been Demonstrated

Liverpool has presented a final offer to French center-back Ibrahima Konaté. From Anfield’s hierarchy’s perspective, this contract— which will make the French defender one of the club’s top earners —fully demonstrates their sincerity. However, the player’s recent frequent gestures of goodwill towards Real Madrid have forced the Reds to set a deadline.

If Konaté accepts the contract extension, he will secure a key role under Arne Slot; if he declines, it means he is still waiting for the opportunity to wear the white jersey of Los Blancos. The 24-year-old French international needs to make a crucial career decision in the coming weeks.

Notably, when asked about his future in a previous interview, Konaté said: “I’ve seen a lot of news (laughs). I don’t know where the reports about Liverpool’s new offer to me came from—my agent is still in talks with Liverpool. I hope to make a decision soon and announce it.”

For Liverpool, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi remains the top target for the center-back position. The English center-back came extremely close to joining Liverpool this summer, even undergoing a medical at Anfield. However, the deal collapsed due to a last-minute rejection by Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. The England international has announced he will not renew his contract with the London club and will leave by next summer at the latest. It is reported that Guéhi is still fully convinced he will join Liverpool.

If Liverpool triggers the domino effect of center-back changes, it will increase the pressure on Bayern Munich in their contract extension talks with Dayot Upamecano. Top clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Liverpool have all shown interest in the French center-back.