Exclusive: Liverpool plan to accept ‘£40m’ Ibrahima Konate offer
Liverpool will demand £40million to sell Ibrahima Konate this summer after their failed attempts to tie him down to a new contract.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about the 26-year-old and the possibility of a move to Spain with Real Madrid.
Liverpool are extremely reluctant to see Konate leave this summer, but also do not plan to lose him on a free and are planning to hold fresh talks over a new contract.
Football Insider revealed on 22 May that Real Madrid are “very interested” in signing Konate following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Los Blancos.
While the Reds are determined not to lose more players on free transfers, they are also unwilling to accept cut-price offers, leaving them in a difficult situation.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in April that Liverpool have made Konate’s contract their priority and Richard Hughes is leading the push for an agreement.
Liverpool make Ibrahima Konate decision after Real Madrid claim
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 24 June that Liverpool will accept offers for Konate rather than let him leave for free next year.
However, the player holds the cards in this situation and there is a feeling he could run down his deal and speak to clubs about a free transfer in the January window.
O’Rourke explained that the Reds are reluctant to lose him this summer and remain hopeful of keeping him at Anfield, but the situation is “a real worry” for them.
“I don’t see a move happening this summer,” he told Football Insider.
“It would have to be a very good offer from Real Madrid to convince Liverpool to sell Konate, even though they don’t want him to run down his contract.
“You’re probably looking at over at least £40million to sell him now.
“I’d imagine Konate will end up staying at Liverpool this summer.
“The club will hold further talks with him to try and convince him to sign a new contract.
“So the player is in the box seat here, he can stay at Liverpool and talk to interested clubs in January with his contract running down as well.
“It’s a real worry for Liverpool because they’ve seen Trent Alexander-Arnold leave the club and they don’t want to see Konate do the same.”
Alexander Isak update emerges at Anfield
While speculation about Konate’s future continues to rumble on, the Reds have set their sights on strengthening Arne Slot’s squad with the addition of Alexander Isak.
Football Insider revealed on 18 July that Newcastle believe Liverpool are trying to unsettle Isak by making their interest public amid a dramatic transfer saga.
Liverpool are also eyeing Hugo Ekitike and have reached an agreement on personal terms as they push forward with their ambitious plans for the window.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider on 18 July that Liverpool are pushing to sign a striker with Isak and Ekitike now dominating headlines.
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