Arne Slot’s Liverpool are not concerned over Ibrahima Konate’s future amid their pursuit of Crystal Palace mainstay Marc Guehi.
According to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, Marc Guehi’s potential move to Liverpool on deadline day will not affect Ibrahima Konate’s future at the club. The Reds remain unconcerned about the French centre-back despite his poor start to the season and ongoing contract situation.
Konate made a name for himself at RB Leipzig before joining the Merseyside club in the summer of 2021 in a deal worth £35 million. The 26-year-old has only gone from strength to strength over the years and has established himself as one of their mainstays.
Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain future
Ibrahima Konate has formed a dependable partnership with Virgil van Dijk and is quite highly rated by Arne Slot. However, there has been a lot of talk about his future because of his contract situation. His current deal runs out in less than a year, and there are quite a few clubs keen on his signature.
Real Madrid are one of the clubs that are keeping tabs on the French centre-back. They are looking to secure his services on a free transfer next summer, just like they signed Trent Alexander-Arnold this time around.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are pushing to sign Marc Guehi before the end of the window. The Premier League champions have already submitted a revised offer, and they are hoping to strike a deal with Crystal Palace in the coming hours.
While reports suggest Guehi could replace Konate in the team, O’Rourke believes the English international’s arrival won’t affect the French centre-back’s future at Anfield. The Reds are not worried about the 26-year-old despite the poor start to the new season and the possibility of him leaving for free.
O’Rourke’s take on the Guehi-Konate situation
While speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke said, “I don’t think it’ll affect his future at Liverpool. Obviously, a lot of people will put two and two together with these constant links to Real Madrid, uncertainty over his future at Anfield and obviously going into the end of the final year of his contract, say, oh, maybe it’s affecting his performances.
“I don’t think it’s probably as clear and simple as that. He’s had a tough time so far this season, there’s no getting away from that, but he’s still highly thought-of by Arne Slot. If Liverpool bring in Marc Guehi, Konate may find his place in the starting XI in jeopardy.
“But right now, they’re not concerned about his future at the club. Obviously his contract situation is the main talking point on Anfield right now with Real Madrid still showing a lot of interest in him.”
Guehi’s arrival will obviously have an impact on Konate’s game time, but their pursuit of the English international has nothing to do with the French defender’s contract situation. The Reds would love to have the duo in their squad for years to come.
They could form the backbone of their defence with Virgil van Dijk in the final phase of his career. As a result, Liverpool will certainly try again to renew his contract. But, for now, they are concerned about him and are pushing hard to sign Guehi, who will fill the void left by Jarell Quansah.
