Expert: Liverpool to make Konate transfer decision after Van Dijk latest

03/18/2025 03:00 PM

Ibrahima Konate’s future at Liverpool is uncertain and will depend on whether or not Virgil van Dijk commits to a new contract at Anfield.

That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Liverpool feel they can upgrade on the 25-year-old in the transfer market.

However, if Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold both leave Anfield this summer, they will be determined not to lose Konate alongside them in a major defensive reshuffle.

This comes after Football Insider revealed in February that Liverpool and Van Dijk have made little progress towards agreeing a new deal.

Arne Slot’s side remain keen to tie the 33-year-old down to new terms given his importance to the side, but concerns are growing that he could depart this summer.

As a result, their recruitment efforts will be focused on finding an adequate replacement, and Konate will play alongside him to keep stability at the back.

However, if Van Dijk commits his future to Liverpool, Brown explained they will be open to offers for the Frenchman who will have just one year remaining on his own contract.

Liverpool have ‘doubts’ over Ibrahima Konate

Brown previously told Football Insider that Liverpool are concerned about Konate and are not convinced he is the best long-term option for the position.

Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has echoed those claims – but he insists the centre-back will only leave if Van Dijk stays.

“Let’s imagine they don’t have a problem with Van Dijk,” he told Football Insider.

“I think they look at Konate and say ‘yeah he’s not bad, he’s done alright, but he’s got a mistake in him’.

“So if they can better than in the transfer window, then they will do.

“But they have got a problem with Van Dijk, and with Trent Alexander-Arnold, so they don’t want to lose another centre-back in the middle of all of that.

“The captain’s position is fundamental to what happens with Konate.

“If he leaves the club, Konate will stay alongside a new signing because they need that stability.

“If he stays, I think they’ll look to move Konate on and replace him with a new signing because of those doubts I explained before that they have.

“In an ideal world, they keep Van Dijk and Konate moves on, but the situation is more complicated.

“They still want Van Djik to sign, of course, but at the moment it’s unclear and that leaves Konate’s position uncertain as well.”

Arne Slot plots Marc Guehi deal after Crystal Palace latest

Football Insider revealed on 28 February that Liverpool plan to sign a new centre-back regardless of the future of Van Dijk as they have begun weighing up their options.

The Reds have dealt with serious injury problems to their other centre-backs this season, with Joe Gomez currently on the sidelines, forcing them to seek new options.

Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi has been heavily linked with the move as Liverpool and Arsenal joined Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle in the race for his signature.

The England regular will have just 12 months remaining on his deal at Selhurst Park this summer, and Palace are keen to raise money from his sale.

For more Liverpool and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post Expert: Liverpool to make Konate transfer decision after Van Dijk latest appeared first on Football Insider.