Liverpool are bracing themselves to lose key defender Ibrahima Konate for nothing.
According to Sky Sports, the France defender is set to leave Anfield as a free agent this summer, bringing a five-year stay to a close after the two sides failed to agree fresh terms.
Konaté and the club had been locked in negotiations for some time, but they could never quite bridge the gap on a new deal.
With his contract expiring on June 30, the 27-year-old is now poised to walk away at no cost.
He has been linked with a string of European clubs since the turn of the year, and Sky Sports understands he has yet to settle on his next destination.
Ibrahima Konate set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer
Since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2021, Konate has made 183 appearances for Liverpool and collected a healthy haul of silverware along the way: a Premier League title, an FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
His pace, aerial strength and ability to cover ground made him a natural fit alongside Virgil van Dijk under Arne Slot, which only sharpens the frustration of seeing him leave for free.
His exit also continues a striking pattern at Anfield, with Konate following Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson out of the club this summer.
Reports across Europe have linked him with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, so there will be no shortage of suitors once he makes up his mind.
For Slot, the challenge is now about rebuilding his options at the back. As Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor noted, the squad already has changes coming.
Jérémy Jacquet is set to arrive from Rennes in a deal worth £60m, just before his 21st birthday, making him the second most expensive defender Liverpool have ever signed.
The young Frenchman has, however, missed the back end of the season with a shoulder injury, while Giovanni Leoni is still working his way back from an ACL problem.
There is uncertainty elsewhere in the spine, too. Van Dijk remains, though Joe Gomez has just a year left on his own contract, leaving room for further movement at centre-back.
O’Connor also flagged a possible need for cover at left-back, with Robertson saying his goodbyes, even if Kostas Tsimikas returns from his loan spell.
Midfield is on the list as well, where another option alongside Ryan Gravenberch would make sense.
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