Liverpool confirm Ibrahima Konate will leave after contract talks break down

Liverpool have confirmed that Ibrahima Konate will leave the club this summer after negotiations over a contract extension broke down, ending a five-year association with the Merseyside club.

The club issued a statement acknowledging the departure of the France international centre-back, saying: “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 joined Liverpool in 2021 from RB Leipzig and established himself as a key defensive presence at Anfield, forming a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk. The 25-year-old was part of the squad that won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in 2022, and contributed to the club’s Premier League title triumph in the 2024-25 season.

Despite both parties entering talks over an extension, an agreement could not be reached, leaving Konate free to join a new club on a free transfer when his deal expires at the end of June. As a player out of contract, he is eligible to negotiate and sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside England immediately.

The departure represents a significant loss for Arne Slot’s side, with Liverpool now facing the task of sourcing defensive reinforcements ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Konate’s exit leaves the club with reduced depth at centre-back and is likely to accelerate their activity in the summer transfer market.