Report: Anfield fears as Liverpool star stalls on new deal

Ibrahima Konate is reportedly stalling on a new contract with Liverpool, raising concerns within the club about another key player potentially running down their deal. 

The French defender will enter the final year of his current contract next month and has apparently rejected the Reds’ initial extension offer.

Konate’s contract discussions were previously delayed as Liverpool prioritised negotiations with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk last season. 

As per The Guardian, the 26-year-old is said to be dissatisfied with the structure of the club’s offer, which heavily relies on performance targets, with his representatives pushing for a higher basic wage.

Should an agreement not be reached before the end of the summer, Liverpool could face a dilemma similar to the situation with Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent move to Real Madrid for a significantly undervalued fee due to his expiring contract. 

Andy Robertson, an Atletico Madrid target, is also entering the final 12 months of his deal, and goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher was sold to Brentford with a year remaining on his contract. 

Liverpool intend to resume talks with Konate later in the summer but remain firm on not overpaying, despite central defence being their remaining area of uncertainty after other significant transfer window activity.

Liverpool return for pre-season in July, when they start preparations for their title defence.