Exclusive: Slot has 'fantastic' player in his long-term plans at Liverpool and is set to offer new contract
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EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
Liverpool have been rock solid at the back this season, with the Reds defence keeping four clean sheets in six Premier League games.
A huge reason for Liverpool’s new-found steeliness has been a welcome return to form for Ibrahima Konate.
Konate struggled at the back end of last season, leading to suggestions that continuing injury problems had left their mark on the Frenchman.
With Arne Slot preferring Jarell Quansah for Liverpool’s opening game of the season, there were question marks over whether Konate would be suited to the Dutchman’s style of play.
But the 25-year-old has answered those doubts emphatically and Rousing The Kop now understands that Konate’s efforts are set to be rewarded with a brand new contract.
Ibrahima Konate set for contract extension
With all the furore over the contract situations of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, the fact that Konate’s current deal only runs until 2026 has been overlooked.
But as we exclusively revealed in September, Luis Diaz is set to sign an extension at Liverpool and it’s understood that Konate will see his terms refreshed, too.
Sources confirm that a new contract is very much on the agenda at Anfield and will be dealt with as a matter of course.
RTK understands that negotiations are likely to advance with Konate during the early part of 2025.
READ MORE: Antonio Rudiger reveals how highly he rates Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate
After being out in the cold at the beginning of the campaign, sources have told RTK that Slot is now delighted with his No.5.
Liverpool staff have been impressed with the way Konate has worked hard after a difficult end to last season and it’s understood that everyone at the club is fully behind a contract improvement.
Furthermore, sources have indicated that Slot has marked Konate out as a big part of his long-term plans at Anfield following his excellent start to life under the Liverpool head coach.
No Premier League interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold
Despite the good news around Konate, Liverpool fans are desperate to hear something positive about the extensions of their three star players.
But although more rumours have started to emerge about Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid, RTK understands that the Liverpool academy graduate has not spoken to any other club about a move.
Bayern Munich and PSG are thought to be interested along with Madrid but have not made any concrete steps towards signing Alexander-Arnold.
Furthermore, sources have told RTK that there is no current interest from the Premier League in Liverpool’s right-back.
There is also no indication that Alexander-Arnold would accept a move to a domestic rival if that did change between now and next summer.
