Ibrahima Konaté will leave Liverpool when his contract expires on June 30, 2026, after talks over a new deal collapsed [1, 2, 3]. The 27-year-old centre-back, who joined Liverpool in July 2021 from RB Leipzig for £35 million, made 183 appearances for the club and won the Premier League, FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups during his five-year stint [1, 3].
Contract renewal negotiations between Konaté and Liverpool began in November 2023 but broke down, leaving the defender set to leave on a free transfer [1, 3]. In April 2026, Konaté told reporters there was "a big chance" he would stay, saying, "we are close to an agreement" and "this is what I always wanted," but an extension was not reached [1, 2, 3].
Liverpool have faced injury and fitness setbacks in defence recently, signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma in September 2024, only for Leoni to suffer an ACL injury that sidelined him for a year [1, 3]. The club also plans to bring in Jérémy Jacquet in a £60 million deal during the 2026 summer transfer window to bolster the centre-back position [1, 3].
Losing Konaté will come after the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold last year, marking a significant turnover in Liverpool's squad [1, 2]. Konaté is expected to attract interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea after his Liverpool exit [2].
Signed for £35 million in 2021, Konaté made 183 appearances and was a regular starter during his time at Anfield, contributing to Liverpool's recent trophy successes [1, 3]. His departure signals another major change for the club's defensive line.
Konaté's contract officially expires on June 30, 2026, when he will leave Liverpool on a free transfer. Liverpool will rely on new signings like Jacquet to fill the void left at centre-back in the coming season [1, 3].
