Konate Expected to Stay at Liverpool Despite Chelsea and Man City Interest

Manchester City and Chelsea have made their move on Ibrahima Konate, but Liverpool look set to keep their man. The 26-year-old centre-back's contract runs out this summer, and the Blues and City have been conducting exploratory talks with his representatives over the past couple of days.

Both clubs are now considering whether to table formal offers for the France international—a development that's caused some anxiety on Merseyside. Yet the smart money remains on Liverpool getting their man tied down, according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

"Liverpool are continuing to push to extend Ibrahima Konate's expiring contract," Plettenberg reported. "A new long-term deal is already on the table. Understand the chances for LFC remain strong despite concrete interest from top clubs."

The Reds have been in negotiations with Konate since late 2024, tabling a succession of extension proposals. Their most generous offer came in early March—one they felt was more than reasonable and hoped would wrap matters up before Easter. That deadline has come and gone, but talks continue.

There's been conflicting noise, with one report suggesting Liverpool have essentially thrown in the towel. That doesn't align with what David Ornstein has been hearing, however. The Athletic's reliable correspondent told the FC Podcast in late March: "I think there's constructive conversation around that one. I do think there is still a will on both sides, player and club, to try and find an agreement. It's not there yet, but the conversations, from what we hear, are continuing and are pretty cordial."

Konate himself has provided the strongest hint yet that his future lies at Anfield. When discussing Liverpool's disappointing campaign, he spoke with the kind of conviction that suggests he'll be part of the solution.

"We bring new players, we will adapt, we will try to understand each other and at a point, with time, we will win a trophy," he told ESPN. "We will have success and when we win the Premier League or Champions League, people will forget every bad season we had because now we won the league last season. This is just part of the success and we have to be relaxed because we have amazing fans, we have to stay together, and the success will come for sure."

That's not the language of a man preparing his exit.