Liverpool appear to have pulled off a significant coup in the transfer market — not with an incoming signing, but by securing the long-term future of one of their key defenders at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konaté is reportedly just “one step away” from signing a new contract with the Reds, according to well-connected Italian journalist Nicolo Schira. The France international has turned down a lucrative offer from a Saudi Pro League club, signalling his commitment to staying at Liverpool despite a season of uncertainty and fluctuating form.
Konaté’s current deal expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, and for much of the campaign, his future looked destined for a high-profile exit. Strong links with Real Madrid had fans and pundits alike expecting the elegant centre-back to follow in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold and head to the Spanish giants — potentially on a free transfer. Reports suggested he even made an ambitious demand for a substantial signing-on fee, which reportedly cooled Real Madrid’s interest as they explored alternative targets.
However, Konaté’s form has been inconsistent this term, described by some as “alarming” in its decline, which appears to have diminished his appeal to Europe’s elite. Yet the 26-year-old remains a formidable Premier League centre-back when at his best — powerful in the air, composed on the ball, and capable of dominating opposition forwards.
For Liverpool, retaining Konaté makes perfect strategic sense. Captain Virgil van Dijk is expected to depart on a free transfer next summer, while Joe Gomez is also tipped to move on in the near future. The club has already invested in youth with the acquisitions of Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet as long-term prospects, but they need experienced, high-quality depth and leadership in central defence right now.
Schira broke the latest update on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Excl. – Ibrahima #Konatè is one step away to extend the contract with #Liverpool. Last details but all the parties involved in the deal are confident to finalise soon. The centre-back has turned down a huge bid from a Saudi Club.”
This development builds on earlier reports that an agreement in principle had been reached, with Fabrizio Romano previously lending weight to the positive momentum around negotiations.
Collymore’s Caution: Time to Look Beyond Konaté?
Not everyone at the club’s former stars is fully convinced. Speaking to TEAMtalk, Stan Collymore expressed reservations about relying on Konaté as a long-term partner for van Dijk.
“One of the big questions, though, is who partners Van Dijk. Ibrahima Konate is too hit-and-miss, while Joe Gomez feels more like a squad option than a nailed-on starter,” Collymore said. He pointed to missed opportunities, such as Marc Guehi joining Manchester City and impressing, and noted Ezri Konsa’s recent dip in form at Aston Villa, which has seen him dropped and potentially impacted his England prospects.
Collymore highlighted the need for a defender who is “lightning quick to cover van Dijk and comfortable on the ball.” He suggested that Dean Huijsen — now at Real Madrid after leaving Bournemouth — would have been an ideal fit, but acknowledged the difficulty of prising him away. While he has no issue with van Dijk continuing as the first-choice centre-back for the next two seasons with managed workload, Collymore believes Liverpool should actively explore reinforcements rather than standing still.
A Statement of Intent
If finalised, the new deal for Konaté would represent a major win for Liverpool’s recruitment team. It would stabilise the backline ahead of potential departures, reward a player who has shown glimpses of world-class ability, and send a clear message: Anfield remains an attractive destination even when bigger clubs come calling.
The “huge” salary increase reportedly on the table underscores Liverpool’s willingness to back their talents financially when the fit is right.
With only final details left to iron out, Reds fans will be hoping the ink dries soon on what could be one of the most important off-field victories of the season — a draft-night style ambush that keeps a key piece of the puzzle in place and shuts the door on rivals’ desperation moves.
The coming days could confirm the extension, providing Arne Slot’s side with welcome defensive continuity as they look to build for the future.