Liverpool are reportedly close to sealing an Ibrahima Konaté contract extension as pre-World Cup deadline looms
Ibrahima Konaté is on the verge of committing his long-term future to Liverpool after his representatives reportedly reached a broad agreement with the club over a lucrative new contract.
The France international has made it a priority to resolve his professional situation before the World Cup kicks off in North America this June.
With his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, the 26-year-old was facing the prospect of becoming one of the most high-profile free agents in world football, attracting serious interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, a significant breakthrough in negotiations this week has shifted the momentum toward a stay on Merseyside.
According to reports from L’Équipe, the financial framework of a new long-term deal has been settled, with only the final administrative details remaining.
Liverpool officials are now increasingly optimistic that the extension will be made official before the end of the month, providing much-needed stability for a defensive unit that has struggled during a difficult 2025/26 campaign.
The road to an agreement has been a protracted one, with discussions stretching back to October 2024. Initial offers from the Anfield board were reportedly rejected for being too low, leading to a period of uncertainty that saw Konaté linked with several of Europe’s elite.
Suggested Articles
The French centre-back, who currently earns approximately £150,000 per week, has been seeking a significant salary hike to reflect his status as a cornerstone of the starting eleven.
His camp has pushed for a package that brings him closer to the club’s top earners, such as Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah.
While Salah’s reported £400,000-a-week wages have previously set the ceiling, the Egyptian’s recently confirmed departure this summer, following a mutual agreement to terminate the final year of his contract, has freed up the necessary fiscal space to meet Konaté’s demands.
Arne Slot’s defensive pillar remains at Anfield
Arne Slot has been vocal about his desire to retain the Frenchman, viewing him as a vital part of the club’s evolution despite the team’s current dip to fifth in the Premier League. During a press briefing in February, Slot was candid about the ongoing process.
“We are in talks with him so that tells you what we want,” Slot said. “It’s clear we would like him to stay but negotiations are ongoing so let’s see where that ends. We wouldn’t be in negotiations if we didn’t want him to stay.”
This public backing, combined with Konaté’s own desire to avoid the distraction of transfer talk during the World Cup, has proved decisive. The 26-year-old is keen to enter the tournament with a clear mind as he looks to anchor the French defence in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The structure of the new deal is expected to see Ibrahima Konaté move into the top tier of the club’s wage hierarchy. While he may not reach the absolute heights of Salah’s current earnings, the proposed increase represents a major commitment from the board to secure the peak years of a defender who has become one of the Premier League’s most dominant physical presences.