Liverpool have confirmed the departure of defender Ibrahima Konate after he failed to agree a new contract with the club.
The French star, 27, arrived at Anfield in 2021 and had been a key player under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, who was sacked by the club on Saturday.
Konate was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid last summer but ended up staying at Anfield, prompting several months of negotiations between Liverpool and the defender as the club attempted to tie down his future.
It is understood that Liverpool began negotiations over a new deal back in 2023 with improved terms being offered, but they were unwilling to make a decision that would jeopardise their long-term financial position – or pay him disproportionately more than other players in the squad.
Liverpool said in a statement: ‘Liverpool FC can confirm Ibrahima Konate is set to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer.
‘The centre-back will depart Anfield at the end of June, bringing his five-year spell with the Reds to a conclusion. Signed from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, Konate made a total of 183 appearances and scored seven goals.
Ibrahima Konate will leave Liverpool this summer after failing to agree a new deal
‘The France international will leave with a Premier League winner’s medal for his role in Liverpool’s 2024-25 title triumph, as well as successes in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup (twice) and FA Community Shield.
‘Konate will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution he made and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future.’
Konate’s departure leaves Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, whose deals both expire next summer, as the only experienced centre backs at Anfield.
The club are set to give 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet, who will join this summer from Rennes, the chance to go straight into the first XI. He has not played since a serious shoulder injury in February but is expected to be fit for pre-season training at Liverpool.
Konate has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, PSG and Real Madrid. Chelsea have played down reports that they are in for the defender, who will link up with his France colleagues today at a pre-World Cup training camp.
He joins Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson in leaving Liverpool this summer.
Confirmation of Konate’s departure comes after the club sacked Slot, just a year after he guided the Reds to the Premier League title.
Andoni Iraola is the frontrunner to succeed the Dutchman and Anfield chiefs are set to open talks with the former Bournemouth boss this week.
