Konate Nears New Long-Term Liverpool Contract

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate revealed on Sunday that he is close to agreeing a new long-term contract with the club, ending months of speculation about his future at Anfield. The 26-year-old French international, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, made the comments following Liverpool's 2-1 victory over rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 for around 36 million pounds and has since made 178 appearances across all competitions, contributing to the team's Premier League title last season as well as the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2022. Despite links to Real Madrid throughout the campaign, the centre-back insisted his commitment has never wavered. "For a long time we have spoken with the club and we are now close to an agreement," Konate said. "There is a big chance I'm here next season. This is what I've always wanted."

Negotiations, which began in October 2024, have dragged into April, mirroring the timelines for teammates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah's extensions last year. Konate attributed the delay to the club's approach. "This is a negotiation," he explained. "With Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah last...