Latest news with #IbrahimaKonate
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'We've been rash' - fans on Quansah sale
We asked for your thoughts on the decision to sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer is a selection of comments:Eug: Good business for Liverpool. He has a lot of potential but he's not there yet. Maybe he won't realise his full potential, you never know. The money the club got for him is more than I This is a mistake. He was outstanding for England Under 21s recently, especially in the final. He's a big-time Would have personally kept Jarell. In my opinion, he is as good as any centre-half. Alright he makes a few mistakes, but who doesn't? He also makes a lot of tackles. I personally think he is equal to or better than Ibrahima Konate, who let it be known has made many errors himself over a few I'm not sure if we would be upgrading on Quansah if we signed Marc Guehi. Yes stats can be misleading. Palace had far more defensive pressure to cope with than Liverpool FC. But this is a big step up from Palace and the expectation of win at all costs, every week, is always the litmus test for any new signing. Konate doesn't appear to want to extend his contract with Real Madrid looking to steal another Red for free. The club are rolling the dice here and with a year to go on Konate's contract the club are right to gamble now rather than 12 months down the The moment Slot took him off at half-time in the first Premier League game away at Ipswich, the writing was on the wall for Jarell and as the season went on the likes of Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez got the same treatment. They weren't trusted by the new coach and got limited minutes. I personally think it's a mistake letting him go if he can just cut out the silly mistakes he occasionally makes. He could have been the natural successor to Virgil van Jarell has potential, but is far from the need right now. £35m is good business and I'm sure we've negotiated a decent buy-back I think we've been rash to get rid of Quansah and I'm not sure Guehi will be an improvement. Quansah was still improving and his front-footed style suits Liverpool far better.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool: Ibrahima Konate rejects new contract offer as defender 'disappointed' by terms
Ibrahima Konate has turned down an offer of a new contract at Liverpool, according to reports. The Frenchman's current deal at Anfield expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, and the former RB Leipzig defender is yet to agree fresh terms with the club. Advertisement Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were the most high-profile names that the Reds let run down their contracts into their final months this term. Salah and van Dijk both penned new deals on Merseyside, but the Premier League champions lost first-choice right-back and academy graduate Alexander-Arnold on an initial free transfer before Real Madrid paid an extra £10million to secure the England international's services for the Club World Cup. Now, Arne Slot's side are in a similar predicament with Konate, who will be free to speak to potential suitors from January next year if a new contract is not signed. The Guardian reports that Konate has been offered an extension on his current deal, but the 26-year-old has rebuffed the offer, apparently 'disappointed' with the figures on the table. Advertisement The report claims that Konate's representatives are seeking a higher wage package, with the offer from Liverpool rumoured to include a wage hike, but based on performance-based objectives. As a result, that has left Konate to consider his options. Liverpool also have Andy Robertson entering the final year of his contract, and the left-back has interest from Atletico Madrid, who are in the hunt for a cut-price left-back.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool's Next Summer Move Revealed as Contract Uncertainty Continues
Liverpool Must Strengthen At Centre-Back After Quansah Exit Liverpool's Premier League title under Arne Slot was built on discipline and smart planning. That same level of forward-thinking must now apply to the defence, especially after the £35million sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. With Ibrahima Konate's contract uncertainty and Joe Gomez's injury struggles, Liverpool cannot afford to go into the new season short at centre-back. Prioritising Konate While Planning Ahead Securing a long-term contract for Konaté is essential. He remains one of the top defensive talents in Europe and fits Liverpool's system perfectly. However, his contract situation has loomed over an otherwise immense campaign for the Reds. Liverpool must therefore look to bolster the position, rather than rely on existing options to stay fit. Photo: IMAGO Guehi Deal Makes Sense But Needs Caution Marc Guehi is clearly high on the list. He is homegrown, composed and experienced at Premier League level. Yet with only one year left on his contract, Crystal Palace's £45million asking price feels excessive. Liverpool may consider waiting a year and signing him for free, but that strategy comes with risk given the current lack of depth. Other Targets Offer Flexibility Jorrel Hato is one name who stands out. At just 19, he offers long-term potential and immediate versatility, able to fill in at both centre-back and left-back. Castello Lukeba and Ousmane Diomande are also strong candidates, though both would likely come at a higher cost. Joel Ordonez, from Club Brugge, could be a cheaper but effective squad option if Liverpool want to add depth without overspending. Defensive Reinforcements Crucial For Title Defence With Champions League football returning and rivals strengthening, Liverpool cannot risk defensive gaps undoing their momentum. Selling Quansah made financial sense, but that move now requires a strong response in the transfer market. Whether it is Guehi, Hato or another emerging talent, Liverpool must act to ensure they are as solid at the back as they are everywhere else. This is an abridged version; the full article is available on our 'It Was Always… Liverpool' Substack page:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool Considering Move to Sign £43m Bayern Munich Star
Liverpool Watching Closely as Kim Min-jae Awaits Formal Interest Liverpool's transfer focus remains fluid as developments from Germany reveal a cooling market around one of their rumoured targets. According to Christian Falk via The Daily Briefing, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae is still waiting for any concrete approaches this summer, despite being linked with both Liverpool and Manchester United. Advertisement 'Kim Min-jae currently has no offers. Should a sale be possible, FC Bayern has a replacement on the list: Tomas Araujo from Benfica,' Falk reported. Signed for £43 million in 2023 after a stellar Scudetto-winning campaign at Napoli, Kim's switch to Bavaria has yet to deliver the same dominance. Despite being a physically commanding and technically adept centre-back, his role under changing Bayern systems has left question marks about his long-term future in Munich. For Liverpool, his name continues to appear on scouting dossiers, but there appears to be little movement at this stage. Photo: IMAGO Quansah, Gomez and Konate Create Transfer Uncertainty Much of Liverpool's transfer business in defence hinges on internal clarity. Jarell Quansah, after an impressive breakout campaign, is nearing a £35m move to Bayer Leverkusen. At the same time, Joe Gomez is said to be exploring his next career step following a Premier League-winning season under Arne Slot. Advertisement Ibrahima Konate also presents an unresolved scenario. Entering the final year of his current deal, the French international is believed to be requesting a 40 percent wage increase. Whether Liverpool meet those terms or allow him to leave could define whether a new centre-back arrives at all. 'A move for the 27-year-old may hinge on what unfolds with our own centre-back group,' the original report noted. Should Quansah depart and Gomez seek a new challenge, there's scope for a major defensive addition. Until then, Liverpool may delay pulling the trigger. Photo: IMAGO Bayern's Successor Shortlist Suggests Openness to a Sale Bayern Munich's stance also offers subtle encouragement to interested parties. Their interest in Tomas Araujo of Benfica, named as a potential successor to Kim, implies openness to a transfer — provided the right offer lands. Advertisement At 27, Kim Min-jae remains in his physical prime. With his aerial presence, positional awareness and elite experience across Italy, Germany and Asia, he matches the kind of pedigree Liverpool may seek in a long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk, who has committed to the club amid transition. 'Still, the fact Bayern are already lining up Tomas Araujo as a potential successor suggests a deal is on the table—if any suitor steps forward.' Bundesliga Connections Strengthen Transfer Web Liverpool's activity in the Bundesliga this window adds weight to the speculation. Deals for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz have already signalled serious investment in German-based talent. The latter's arrival broke both Liverpool's and the Premier League's transfer records. Advertisement Adding Kim to this list would fit the new trend, but as of now, no offer has been placed. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis This is the kind of story that will set tongues wagging across the fanbase. Kim Min-jae is no average link. His profile screams elite-level pedigree, and while his time at Bayern has not mirrored his Napoli form, there's no doubt he would raise the floor and ceiling of Liverpool's defensive depth. Arne Slot is not expected to rotate heavily at the back unless the system demands it, but in a season where Liverpool will again compete across four fronts, having an experienced, composed and physically dominant centre-back makes complete sense. Advertisement That said, fans may feel slightly uneasy at the idea of losing Quansah, Gomez or even Konate to enable such a move. Quansah, in particular, has been embraced as a homegrown success. But football moves fast and hard decisions are often required. If the club senses that Kim's value is deflating in a seller's market and Bayern are lining up replacements already, it could be a classic Liverpool play to act when others hesitate. For now, it's a waiting game. But this one might not stay quiet for long.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Ibrahima Konate's contract, a Liverpool dilemma and the prospect of history repeating itself
Liverpool losing a defender in the prime of his career. Sound familiar? No, we are not talking about Trent Alexander-Arnold. This time, the focus turns to Ibrahima Konate and the position Liverpool could find themselves in for a second year running. Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid at the end of his contract generated plenty of frustration among a large section of the fanbase — not only because he decided to leave, but also that a player at his peak was going to play elsewhere and improve a European rival. Advertisement Konate is 12 months away from leaving for nothing too, and there is growing concern that the centre-back's future lies away from Anfield. Reports in recent days have suggested the French international has decided the upcoming campaign will be his last at Anfield, with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid reportedly among his potential suitors. A Konate exit would be a blow. He will be 27 when his contract runs out, and last season his performances pushed him towards being included in the top bracket of elite centre-backs, playing a key part in Liverpool's title win. There is a reason why the two clubs who have won the last two Champions League titles have been most heavily linked with him. Liverpool have not given up hope of agreeing a new deal with the defender and are keen to keep him. Discussions have been ongoing since the early months of last season but there has been no agreement yet. Wanting to re-sign Konate is a show of faith that he can step up to be the senior defender when Virgil van Dijk eventually departs. Alongside the Dutch defender, Konate has shown all of his defensive qualities — duel success, anticipation, aerial dominance and covering speed — and they complement each other well. However, we have yet to see the Frenchman excel when leading the defence without Van Dijk over a stretch of matches. Head coach Arne Slot's possession-based style requires his centre-backs to be confident and comfortable ball progressors. Repeatedly, the head coach has lavished praise on Van Dijk and was taken aback in the early weeks of working with him at how good he was at breaking lines with passes and switching play. Notably, when discussing Konate publicly, Slot has highlighted the defender's distribution as an area they have been trying to develop. The last time the defender spoke about his situation publicly was after lifting the league title on the final day of the season. He made his thoughts very clear about online speculation. Advertisement 'You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake,' Konate told reporters. 'I didn't even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it. 'The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end… I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: 'Ah, they have more information than me?!' 'It was not true at that moment, and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at that moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract, but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen.' GO DEEPER Konate interview: 'Slot's Liverpool philosophy is different to Klopp's, but he didn't ask me to change' So, what options do Liverpool have as they try to navigate another contract saga? There is the argument that, if Konate has made up his mind to leave, they should cash in on him. However, there is unlikely to be much appetite for the likes of PSG or Madrid to pay for a player they can get for free in a year. The partnership between Marquinhos and Willian Pacho was integral to the French side's treble success. Real Madrid have already strengthened the centre of their defence with the signing of 19-year-old Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth for £50million ($69m), but Antonio Rudiger's contract is set to expire next summer. Liverpool have shown they are prepared to put sporting interests ahead of financial ones, allowing players to go into the final year of their deal and risk losing them to reap the short-term benefits. If they are winning trophies and Konate plays a part, then that stance is justifiable. The defence has also already gone through a fairly significant revamp. Full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have arrived and Jarell Quansah's imminent departure means at least one more centre-back has to be brought in. Alexander-Arnold has gone and the expectation is that one of Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas will depart. Advertisement Konate going would require another centre-back to be acquired. That is a lot of upheaval and would mean a high chance that only Virgil van Dijk from last season's first-choice defence would start on the opening day against Bournemouth next season. Konate may reject any attempts made to sell him anyway, opting to remain in control of his next move and financially benefit from a signing bonus from whichever club he chooses. He does seem to be preparing to be at Anfield next season after his recent Instagram post reflecting on the campaign ended with: 'Next season, we go again!' The conundrum then becomes how he is used. Slot has shown he is prepared to involve players if they give the team the best chance of success. Alexander-Arnold announced his decision following Liverpool clinching the title, but he informed Slot he was leaving in March. The obvious option is to continue as normal as Slot did with Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, all of whom were in the final year of their contract last season. Ideally, his partnership with Van Dijk continues to flourish and a new deal is signed. Yet if the direction of travel is heading a certain way, the type of defender Liverpool sign to fill the Quansah-shaped hole could impact decisions. If they opt for a ready-to-play option, like Marc Guehi for example — rather than a youngster — the Crystal Palace defender would arrive wanting to play. Provided he settles quickly, should he become the first choice alongside Van Dijk because he is part of the future? That decision may come in January, as that is when Konate would be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs. It may drag on until April or May, as all three contract situations did last season. The 2026 World Cup is a factor because Konate's place in Didier Deschamps' first-choice XI is not a certainty and risking a lack of game time because he plans to leave could harm his chances. Konate was on the pitch when Alexander-Arnold felt the wrath of Anfield in his first appearance following his announcement, so he knows what he could be letting himself in for. The perceived hypocrisy of Alexander-Arnold's decision fuelled frustration, and while Konate is not the 'local lad', there will be backlash for a second player walking away from the club in two years, especially if they head to the same club. Advertisement It is not a good look for Liverpool either. In the past, players have been waved-off on the club's terms. A Konate departure would be the second player to leave on their own terms. Until a definitive decision is made, it is a cloud that will hang over the centre-back and Liverpool in the upcoming months.
