Contracts are all anyone’s talking about at Liverpool right now.
Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are all yet to commit their futures beyond the end of the season, whilst rumours circulated of Luis Diaz’s hot start to the season being rewarded with a reworked deal.
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A new deal for Ibrahima Konate
Rousing the Kop are now reporting that Liverpool are eyeing an extension for standout centre-back Ibrahima Konaté.
The report states that Liverpool would look to make the deal happen at some point in the new year. Konaté’s current deal only runs until the end of the 2025-26 season and it would be self-evident to say that Liverpool are looking to avoid another Van Dijk situation with their other starting central defender.
Konaté has progressed leaps and bounds in this early season. After Jarell Quansah was picked to partner captain Van Dijk on the opening day of the season, Konaté replaced the Englishman at half-time and has played all significant minutes at the position since.
This is actually a ridiculous goal you know, Konaté’s pass, Núñez header, Salah’s first time pass and then that outrageous finish.
Topped off with a celebration of quite some relief.
Exciting football, we’re playing.
— 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒄𝒐🧣 (@WilcoFtbl) September 21, 2024
Not only has he rewarded head coach Arne Slot with six clean sheets in nine appearances in all competitions, but the Frenchman has also bagged two goals.
This is the first time he’s found the back of the net in over two years. He also dominates the league in the amount of aerial duels won.
Recently, Van Dijk has praised the Frenchman and lauded him as ‘amazing.’
Van Dijk told Liverpool’s official website: “We need everyone to be at their best. Ibou is an amazing, fantastic player who can still be better. He is defensively solid and was a bit unlucky with the goal that we conceded, but the qualities he has, he is outstanding.”
The news that Liverpool are eyeing an extension for Konaté has implications for the ‘big three’ contracts this season. Along with a Diaz extension, it suggests that there is news or anticipation about where funds can be allocated.
If Van Dijk were to leave the club, it has been reported that Liverpool will look to the blue side of Merseyside and Jarrad Branthwaite as a long-term replacement. They would reportedly face competition from Manchester United for the England international’s signature.
At 33-years old, however, a long-term replacement for Van Dijk will be needed sooner rather than later.
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