Liverpool aren’t only signing new players this summer, but also looking to secure the futures of current stars.
After losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer earlier this summer, Liverpool understand more than anybody the importance of tying players down to new deals.
It isn’t their only focus, with plenty of fresh faces walking through the door at the AXA Training Centre, too.
Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Ármin Pécsi have already been confirmed, with Liverpool also set to announce Milos Kerkez as a Red.
When it comes to contract talks, Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah committed their futures to the club earlier this year, as has young right-back Conor Bradley.
Not all talks are going smoothly, though, and one of Arne Slot’s key players is yet to put pen to paper.
Ibrahima Konaté rejects new Liverpool contract
According to The Guardian, Ibrahima Konaté is stalling on signing a new deal with the club, having rejected their initial offer.
The French international’s current contract expires next summer, and Real Madrid are already circling to try and snatch him from Liverpool’s grasp for free, much like they did with Alexander-Arnold.
Konaté would reportedly be ‘very keen’ to play his football at the Santiago Bernabéu in the future, as per Spanish media outlet Defensa Central.
The 26-year-old made 42 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool last season and forms one half of a formidable centre-back partnership with Van Dijk.
The defensive duo helped bring the Premier League title to Anfield once again, with Konaté a standout throughout the campaign.
Liverpool are eyeing up a move for Marc Guéhi
Arne Slot may have already found his potential Konaté replacement in the form of Crystal Palace centre-half Marc Guéhi.
The 24-year-old has been the heartbeat of the Eagles’ defence for four years and was one of England’s best performers at the 2024 European Championships.
Guéhi’s current deal at Palace also expires next summer, and there appears to be no current indication that he will extend.
According to The Times, Liverpool will either sign Guéhi for a cut-price deal this summer or will snatch him up for free this time next year.
With the possibility of losing Konaté for free, it seems as though the Reds have their perfect replacement already lined up.