Ibrahima Konate says he is close to agreeing a new Liverpool contract and will likely stay at Anfield next season.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has revealed he is 'close to an agreement' over a new contract with the club and there is a 'big chance' he will remain at Anfield for the 2026-27 campaign. His current deal expires this summer, five years after arriving from RB Leipzig for a £35m transfer fee. Konate spoke following Liverpool's Merseyside derby victory on Sunday, stressing that his future at the club has never been uncertain.
The 26-year-old centre-back made it clear he has consistently communicated his desire to stay, suggesting he told sporting director Richard Hughes early in negotiations he had no intention of leaving. 'There are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement,' Konate explained. 'I think everyone wished for that for as soon as possible but we are in a good way.'
When asked about the prolonged negotiations, Konate compared his situation to those of teammates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah last season, calling it 'exactly the same' and suggesting 'this is maybe how the club want it.' He has made 113 Premier League appearances since joining Liverpool, helping secure the league title in 2025 alongside the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2022.
Konate acknowledged the club's underwhelming season despite their likely Champions League qualification next term. 'It's been a bad season for the standards of Liverpool. If we finish in the top four, we won't be happy, for sure,' he stated. 'With this kind of a season, we have to give our all next season to make something good.'
The defender opened up about a difficult personal period after his father passed away in France in January, though he returned early from compassionate leave amid Liverpool's defensive crisis. 'It was a tough year because many things happened and I think if everyone knew exactly what happened to me, they could understand many things, which kind of sacrifices I've done for this club,' he reflected.
Looking ahead, Konate expressed his pride in representing Liverpool, calling the club 'such an amazing club and amazing family' and adding, 'This club means so much to me.' He hinted at sharing more details publicly in the future, saying, 'One day I would take the time to think about it. Right now, we focus on the end of the season and make sure we are qualified for the Champions League.'
The timing of Konate's contract talks mirrors recent high-profile Liverpool deals that stretched deep into the season, including those involving Van Dijk, Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. These situations developed following the club's ownership transition after Jurgen Klopp's departure and the subsequent hiring of Michael Edwards alongside Richard Hughes to support current manager Arne Slot.
Though Konate experienced a difficult 2025 on the pitch, his recent form has shown improvement since speculation about a move to Real Madrid faded. Fans have welcomed his resurgence, especially after emotional moments like his tearful celebration in a 4-1 win over Newcastle following his return from leave. His renewed contributions have strengthened the case for a contract extension.