Chelsea And Manchester City Join Scramble For Ibrahima Konate As Liverpool’s Easter Contract Deadline Approaches

Liverpool face an Easter deadline for Ibrahima Konate’s new contract as Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid circle for a potential free transfer.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 4:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TEAMtalk and Football365

A High-Stakes Deadline at Anfield

Liverpool Football Club has reportedly reached a point of "tested patience" regarding the future of center-back Ibrahima Konate. With the Frenchman’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season, the club had internally set a deadline around the Easter period for a definitive answer on their latest extension offer. As that date fast approaches, sources indicate that the Reds have yet to receive a formal commitment from the player, leaving his future on Merseyside in significant doubt. The club’s hierarchy had hoped for clarity before entering the final stretch of the season, but the silence from Konate’s camp has instead invited a flurry of interest from across the continent.

Premier League Rivals Weighing Moves

Adding to the tension at Anfield is the emergence of domestic competition for Konate’s signature. Both Chelsea and Manchester City have reportedly held preliminary discussions to gauge the defender's interest in a move within the Premier League. While it remains unclear if these "exploratory talks" have evolved into formal contract proposals, the interest from two of Liverpool’s primary rivals significantly complicates the club’s negotiation position. Liverpool remains confident that their current financial offer is superior to any terms currently being floated by rival clubs, yet the lack of a signature suggests that Konate may be prioritizing factors beyond mere salary.

The Continental Scramble: Real Madrid and Inter Milan

Beyond the shores of the UK, the race for the 26-year-old is reaching a fever pitch. Real Madrid’s interest in Konate has been a poorly kept secret for months, with the Spanish giants viewing him as a prime candidate to bolster their aging backline. Meanwhile, Italian champions Inter Milan have reportedly submitted a "serious proposal" of their own, seeking to lure the Frenchman to the San Siro with the promise of a guaranteed starting role in a three-man defense. Both Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also maintained contact with the player’s representatives, ensuring that Konate will have his pick of Europe’s elite should he choose to walk away from Anfield on a free transfer.