Romano announces major Liverpool deal only 'a matter of time'

Tom Weber

Updated: 4 Nov 2024 16:25 GMT
3 min read

Ibrahima Konate's new Liverpool contract is only 'a matter of time,' according to Fabrizio Romano.

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The French defender is back from injury and deemed fit to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday when Liverpool clash with club legend and former managerial candidate Xabi Alonso.

Konate had been a crucial part of Arne Slot's side prior to his fitness problem and he is set to win back his place in the Dutchman's preferred XI before long.

In recent weeks, intriguing news filtered through from Anfield that Liverpool were ready to hand Konate an improved new contract, the timing of which seemed odd given that there are more high-profile players on expiring deals.

Indeed, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Konate's partner in crime Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract next summer, so the fact that the 25-year-old was given priority raised eyebrows.

© IMAGO - Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk

Konate deal close

However, it is not difficult to see why Konate would be first in line to get a new deal. Eight years Van Dijk's junior, the Frenchman is the future of Liverpool's defence and the club want to make sure that his long-term commitment to the club is under wraps as soon as possible.

Besides, Van Dijk has confirmed that he, too, is in talks to extend his stay on Merseyside, so it is by no means a case of one or the other. Liverpool, for their part, are determined to make quick progress on the contract front with the January window fast approaching.

According to Fabrizio Romano, it is only 'a matter of time' until Konate's new contract will be made official by the club, with the player evidently in no rush to leave despite previously revealing his ambition to one day play for PSG in his hometown of Paris.

Read more about: Premier League, Liverpool, Ibrahima Konaté