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Chelsea have enquired about signing ‘world-class’ Liverpool star after he rejected a new contract

Shamanth Jayaram

Sat 15 March 2025 9:20, UK

TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Chelsea have enquired about the possibility of signing Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool this summer.

The Reds have found themselves in a very difficult position with player contracts. All eyes have been on Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deals running out in 2025.

Arne Slot’s side are locked in talks w🧸ith all of the above, but there are growing concerns at Anfield over another player too 🎶– Konate.

The Frenchman has en༺tered th💦e final 18 months of his contract, and there is growing interest in him ahead of the summer transfer window.

Chelsea and Barcelona enquire about signing Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool

TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can 𝔍reveal that Liverpool are continuing to work on trying to k🐲eep Van Dijk, but they are also in talks with his central defensive partner Konate.

The Reds’ issues trying to tie down van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold have domin𓂃ated their time for much of the last 12 months. However, whilst their big three have been prioritised to some extent given they are o💛ut-of-contract this summer, the club’s hierarchy have also been talking to others.

Konate has 🅠emerged as a real concern to Liverpool.

TBR Football can confirm that the France international defender has rebuffed Liverpool’s opening offers of a new deal, which were made towards the end of 2024. Talks have continued but there have been no breakthrou𒀰gh 💮in what is turning into another major contractual concern for the club.

Konate’s current deal expires in 2026 and🐼 his situation has seen rival clubs take an interest. Paris Saint-Germain have a long-standing interest, whilst Real Madrid are in the market for a new ▨central defender and are keeping tabs on his progress.

But, TBR can now reveal that Barcelona and Chelsea have both made enquiries in recent months ab🐟out Konate’s situat💟ion.

The two clubs have made the defender’s representatives aware that they have an interest in signing the 25-year-old. That, again, turns up the pr𒁃essure on Liverpool.

What Konate has said about his Liverpool contract

Konate hasn’t been too vocal about his future.

However, the France international did confirm in January this year that Liverpool ha🧸d offered him a new contract that would extend his stay at the club beyond 2026.

But, Konate,🐎 who has been hailed as ‘world-class’ by Ollie Watkins, refused to confirm whether he would sign it.

He said at the time, as per : “I think I am really focused on what happens now. We will see whꦗat will h꧙appen.

“Yes (I have been offered a deal). This is another con⭕versation (whether I am close to signing).”