Ibrahima Konate settles his future and urges Liverpool boss to explain contract delay

Ibrahima Konate settles his future and urges Liverpool boss to explain contract delayThe French defender's current deal at Anfield expires at the end of the season but he has given a major update on his situation and has stressed how he has become a leader at the clubCommentsSportAndy Dunn Chief Sports Writer12:00, 20 Apr 2026Updated 12:00, 20 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesIbrahima Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021(Image: Getty Images)Ibrahima Konate has revealed he is about to sign a new contract and has urged Liverpool’s sporting director to explain why an agreement has been so long in the making. The French defender’s current deal expires at the end of the season and there have been suggestions he could be lined up for a free transfer to Real Madrid.‌But Konate will be staying at Anfield and a new long-term agreement should be confirmed over the next few days. The 26-year-old centre-half said: “My future? To be fair, there are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement.‌“I think everyone wished for that for as long as possible, but we are in a good way. For sure there is a big chance I’m here next season.‌READ MORE: Jamie Carragher expects Liverpool departure after dramatic Everton winREAD MORE: Andy Robertson's creeping Tottenham concern 'named' as Celtic joined by two alternative destinations"This is what I always wanted. I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard (Hughes) what I said to him in September, November, and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.”There had been fears among fans that Liverpool had got themselves into another Trent Alexander-Arnold situation. The England full-back moved to the Bernabeu when his contract expired past summer.But when asked if had always wanted to extend his time at the club, Konate replied: “That's why I said. When everything's going to be...