Liverpool 'update' Ibrahima Konate stance after Marc Guehi offer

Contributor
Feargal Brennan
Liverpool 'update' Ibrahima Konate stance after Marc Guehi offer image

Liverpool want to bring in a new centre-back before the Premier League summer transfer window shuts on September 1.

Ahead of the deadline, Arne Slot is still in the hunt for Alexander Isak, despite Newcastle United's firm stance currently blocking an exit.

As part of an ongoing transfer saga, the Magpies rejected Liverpool's first bid of £110m for the Sweden international at the start of August with Newcastle demanding around £150m for their talisman.

Isak has set out his position of wanting to leave St. James' Park, but Liverpool still need to match Newcastle's demands, and Eddie Howe is chasing a host of replacements.

Slot has already spent £265m on new faces this summer, with £170m coming in from sales, but there is still one area of squad concern for the Dutchman.

Virgil van Dijk extended his contract until 2027 at the end of last season, but centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate continues to stall on a renewal offer, with his current deal expiring next summer.

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Liverpool remain confident over convincing him to stay at Anfield, but Crystal Palace have now confirmed they are prepared to sell captain Marc Guehi, who is also out of contract in 2026.

Slot is a long-term admirer of the England star and Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted the club are looking to sell to avoid a free transfer.

Liverpool have tabled an opening £35m offer for the 25-year-old, as per The Times, and they are confident that will be enough to secure him.

Bringing in Guehi reduces the concern over squad numbers, if Konate decides to go, but Slot will not sanction a sale before the end of August.

The latest from the Daily Mail claims a final offer will be put forward to Konate's representatives but the club will not revisit the situation again.

Following the contract chaos surrounding Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier this year, Liverpool want to dodge a repeat situation.

If Konate does not extend before the end of 2025, Liverpool will assume a free transfer to Real Madrid is his goal in 2026, but they will hold the former RB Leipzig star to his current deal.

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