Liverpool on the brink of agreeing deal for world class defender

Liverpool are closing in on a contract extension for central defender Ibrahima Konaté after months of stop-start negotiations, according to a report in Tuesday’s L’Equipe.

Discussions between sporting director Richard Hughes and the France international’s camp have stretched back to the start of last season, but sources close to the talks now say only minor details remain before the 26-year-old commits his long-term future to Anfield.

Konaté, who has started every Premier League match under new head coach Arne Slot this term, set a personal deadline of the upcoming World Cup to resolve his future. That timeline appears to have accelerated progress, with L’Equipe noting that “numerous back-and-forth exchanges and meetings” have brought the parties to the verge of an agreement.

Wages had been the principal hurdle, with Konaté understood to be seeking a place among Liverpool’s top earners. It is not yet clear whether the player has moderated his demands or whether the club has elected to meet them, but either outcome would remove the risk of losing the former RB Leipzig man on a free transfer.

Securing Konaté’s signature would represent an early coup for Hughes and a significant statement of intent as Liverpool look to build on an impressive start to the campaign. With the defender poised to extend his stay, the Reds’ hierarchy can now turn their attention to other squad priorities knowing one of their key pillars is set to stay.