The Reds look set for a serious revamp as they aim to win back-to-back Premier League titles
Konaté Drops Hint About Liverpool Future As Pre-Season Nears
Liverpool’s pre-season kicks off in just over a month, starting with a game against Preston North End before the squad heads off to Asia. And with a brand new era under Arne Slot beginning, there’s already a buzz building about what the team will look like.
Slot will want as close to a full squad as possible to get a good look at his best XI before the season starts. Transfers are bound to happen – players in, players out – but keeping the core of this team together is just as important as signing new faces.
One of those key players is Ibrahima Konaté. The French centre-back has been rock solid at the back for Liverpool, but with just one year left on his deal, the club will be hoping to tie him down sooner rather than later. And judging by his latest social media activity, fans have a good reason to feel optimistic.
Konaté’s Instagram Message Gives Fans Hope
Konaté posted on Instagram after the season wrapped up, saying:
“What a season! Thank you to all the fans for the love and support this year. You’ve been amazing from start to finish. It’s been a great season for me and for the club, so many special moments, and of course winning our 20th Premier League title… unforgettable! Now it’s time to rest, enjoy the holidays, and come back even stronger (and you the fans because we’ll need your energy and voice as well). Next season, we go again!”
The key part? “Next season, we go again.”
That little line has fans thinking he’s planning to stick around and sign a new deal. Nothing official yet, but it’s definitely more reassuring than silence.
Of course, anything can still happen. Liverpool lost Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free earlier this summer, and reports say Konaté is also wanted by Trent’s new club. But if the club thought he was running his contract down with no intention of staying, they’d probably already be looking to sell him now.
Backup Plans Are Already in Place
Liverpool aren’t being naive though. The club’s got options if Konaté does end up leaving. Young Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax is heavily linked, though Arsenal and Chelsea are also in the race. There’s also Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP – another solid talent who’d cost around £50 million, similar to Hato.
Slot’s Dutch ties might help swing things if it comes to a battle for Hato, but ideally, Liverpool won’t have to go that route just yet. The club seem confident Konaté will extend his stay, and he’s shown no signs of pushing for a move.
And don’t forget Jarrell Quansah could also be on the move this summer, which makes keeping Konaté even more important as the defence starts to take a new shape under Slot.
⸻
What’s Next?
Pre-season is almost here, new signings are already making waves, and Konaté hinting he’s staying is exactly the kind of quiet W we need right now. Hopefully, the club gets his new deal sorted soon – because with all the changes coming, having someone like Ibou locked in is a big win.
Let’s see how it all unfolds. But for now, it’s looking good.
YNWA.