Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool Stay Gains Momentum as Future Odds Shift Dramatically

Ibrahima Konaté is now deemed "more likely" to remain at Liverpool rather than depart Merseyside, despite ongoing tensions surrounding the terms of a new deal and his wage expectations, according to fresh reports.

The French international is set to become a free agent on June 30 as talks over a contract renewal with Liverpool continue to stall. Like many of his teammates, Konaté has experienced some notable dips in form this season—Arne Slot famously remarked that "he has been a bit too much at the crime scene."

Nevertheless, he remains a key figure in Liverpool's starting lineup and would leave a significant hole at the heart of defense if his contract were allowed to expire.

Throughout the many twists and turns of yet another contract saga for the club to navigate—following last year's drawn-out negotiations with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—Konaté's destination for 2026–27 has shifted on multiple occasions.

However, The Athletic now reports that the Frenchman is "more likely" to eventually reach an agreement with Liverpool's hierarchy rather than seek a move elsewhere. That said, getting a deal over the line still has some way to go.

What Are Ibrahima Konate's Salary Demands at Liverpool?

Shortly after Liverpool's Premier League title celebrations last summer, Konaté was quick to dismiss some unfounded rumors about his supposed demands. "I didn't even ask for something from the club," the 26-year-old stated. "They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it."

The Athletic reports that Konaté's response to Liverpool centered on his salary. The former RB Leipzig defender is believed to currently earn around $199,000 (£150,000) per week and is seeking wages "in line" with the club's highest earners.

Defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch recently signed a contract extension that is understood to have made him the club's fourth-highest earner at approximately $372,000 per week. By comparison, record signing Alexander Isak is reported to earn around $400,000 per week, while Florian Wirtz takes home $330,000.

It is not believed that Konaté is seeking a figure comparable to the substantial sums earned by his defensive partner Virgil van Dijk, who is reportedly the highest-paid center back in the world. Mohamed Salah's considerable salary—which will be removed from Liverpool's wage bill once he leaves in the summer—is also thought to be beyond what Konaté is targeting.

How Ibrahima Konate Compares to Liverpool's Top Earners

Reported figures converted into dollars.

External Factors Which Point Towards Clear Konate Decision

As The Athletic notes, the number of clubs pursuing Konaté has dwindled as the season has progressed. Dayot Upamecano's contract renewal at Bayern Munich has likely ruled out the German giants as potential suitors, while Paris Saint-Germain's reported interest has been largely played down.

Real Madrid are said to have withdrawn from the running back in November.

It was around that time that Konaté last offered a public update on his situation, promising a resolution "very soon." Evidently, his sense of timing is open to interpretation.

However, his recent comments—particularly his use of the word "we"—when discussing Liverpool's determination to bounce back from a difficult 2025–26 campaign have attracted considerable attention.

"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 earlier this week. "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."