Ibrahima Konate 'offered' new Liverpool contract to prevent TAA repeat

Ibrahima Konate has seen a wealth of interest from Real Madrid as his Liverpool contract is set to expire next summer, but Arne Slot is said to be confident of striking a new deal with the centre-half

Liverpool are reportedly optimistic about securing a new deal with Ibrahima Konate. The French international's contract at Anfield is due to expire at the end of the season.

Mirroring the situation that led to Trent Alexander-Arnold's controversial exit, Real Madrid have been strongly linked with a move for the 26-year-old, potentially taking advantage of his expiring contract. A return to his homeland has also been suggested, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly keen on signing the defender as Luis Enrique looks to bolster his league and Champions League-winning defence.

As per L'Equipe, Liverpool have tabled another contract offer for Konate, and it's understood that negotiations are in progress with the Reds hopeful of reaching an agreement.

The report suggests that Arne Slot's team resumed contract discussions with the defender after they were temporarily halted so he could concentrate on helping Liverpool clinch the Premier League title last season.

This season, there's increased pressure on Konate to stay fit given the limited defensive options available to the Dutch manager, reports the Liverpool Echo. Jarell Quansah's departure created a vacancy which was filled by Giovanni Leoni, a 19-year-old wonderkid from Parma.

However, the promising defender has been sidelined for up to a year after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton.

The Reds' defensive options were further limited by the last-minute collapse of Marc Guehi's summer transfer, leaving them with Joe Gomez as their main back-up central defender.

They could, however, potentially utilise Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch from midfield to provide additional cover. Konate's performances have been scrutinised this season, attracting criticism from some quarters of the media.

Despite struggling in matches against Bournemouth and Newcastle United, he demonstrated his quality in the games that followed, but faltered in Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.

Slot recently commented on Konate's form, saying: "I think he has things he can improve. But for him starting this season with a different full-back next to him probably is different as well.

"He and the team had Ryan Gravenberch in front of them for the first time against Newcastle, so I think it's partly also adjustment to each other. And partly, I think the biggest strength of Ibou is of course his defensive quality.

"You could already see last season when he and Virgil were playing together, they mainly make sure Virgil doesn't get the ball, so he needs to bring the ball out of the back.

"That he does sometimes really, really, really good, but his consistency in that part is definitely something he can improve, but that will also improve the more we work together, the more he's used to the right full-back next to him, the more he's used to the other players that are in front of him as well."