Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate is reportedly considering a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, in a potential blow for the Reds.
The 25-year-old sealed a move from RB Leipzig to Anfield in the summer of 2021 and he has become an influential figure ever since, proving to be a popular figure
Konate has become Virgil van Dijk’s undisputed first-choice centre-back partner down the years, and still possibly has his best years ahead of him.
According to ESPN, the France international is “tempted” by a return to his homeland in the summer transfer window, completing a switch to PSG in the process.
The Ligue 1 champions see Konate as their ideal long-term partner for Marquinhos at the centre of their defence.
Liverpool must hand Konate new deal
Losing Konate at this point in his career would be a major setback for Liverpool, with Van Dijk showing his appreciation for him earlier this season, saying:
“I think we need everyone to be at their best. He is a fantastic player who still can be better. As you saw, he is important with the goal, he is defensively solid, a bit unlucky with the goal we conceded, but obviously the qualities he has are outstanding in my opinion. He is learning, growing, getting better and looking after himself much better in order to be ready every three days as that’s what asked.”
While much focus is rightly on the contract situations of the skipper, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold currently, Liverpool also have to ensure that Konate signs a new deal.
His current contract expires at the end of next season, so this summer feels crucial, in terms of not losing him on a free transfer in 2026.
The lure of PSG is clear for Konate, however, should he want to return to France, but Ligue 1 isn’t close to the standard of the Premier League, so he will hopefully end up committing his future to Liverpool.
Losing him, and also having to think about finding an eventual successor to Van Dijk, would be an extra headache that Slot and the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes could do without.
