Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Fri 29 May 2026 15:00, UK

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Aston Villa could well be among the clubs to contact Ibrahima Konate this summer ahead of his expected Liverpool departure.

The defender is set to bring five years at Anfield to an end next month at the end of his contract, despite having been in negotiations for months.

Just last season, Konate was widely considered among the best centre-backs in Europe after enjoying a brilliant Premier League-winning season alongside Virgil van Dijk.

This season, however, consistency has been hard to come by for both the Frenchman and the Reds as they limped to a fifth-placed finish.

Villa transfer chiefs may look to start negotiations quickly, with Konate set to go to this summer’s World Cup with France.

Ibrahima Konate to be available on a free transfer

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last month that Konate’s contract situation was worrying, despite the ongoing talks.

The 27-year-old had initially been tipped to replicate the Trent Alexander-Arnold route, rejecting a new contract to join Real Madrid in the summer.

But after the Spanish giants withdrew their interest, talks between the defender and Liverpool began again and looked to be moving towards a positive resolution.

However, it was widely reported on Thursday that talks have broken down, with no agreement found and Konate now expected to leave.

The France international will immediately be on the radar for teams across Europe and the Premier League, with Villa likely among the best-placed to sign him.

There are risks that will come with his arrival, however. Konate will undoubtedly demand huge wages as a free agent, and could well trigger some disgruntlement at Villa Park among the lesser-paid players.

Exclusive: Ibrahima Konate is expected to leave Liverpool. No agreement has been reached between #LFC and the French defender despite Konate indicating in April a deal was close.

🤝 @alex_crook pic.twitter.com/PQgofK50nr

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 28, 2026

Those expenses will be for a player who was overly unimpressive this season and who suffered some fairly severe injury issues at the earlier stages of his career, with their return never ruled out.

On the other hand, for no transfer fee, Villa would be equipping Unai Emery with a centre-back who truly can be world-class in the right form, and who has all of the physical assets to bolster the Spaniard’s defence.

Villa’s squad analysed as cuts needed elswhere

Konate’s arrival could well call for wage cuts elsewhere. At the back, Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres are considered untouchable, while the situation for Victor Lindelof and Tyrone Mings is different.

He continues to play a role when he is not injured, but this summer could finally see the departure of long-term veteran Mings.

What a signing 🤩

Tyrone Mings made his debut for the club on this day in 2019 ✊ pic.twitter.com/HyhnjyqP5S

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 2, 2026

Elsewhere in the squad, Lamare Bogarde and Ross Barkley have been linked with an exit, while loan moves for Douglas Luiz and Harvey Elliott will not be made permanent.

There is also a decision is to be made on free agent Jadon Sancho, who spent the season on loan at Villa Park.

With the 26-year-old’s wages also set to be costly, it is unlikely that both he and Konate could both conceivably sign permanently for the Villans this summer.