Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool star fuels PSG and Real Madrid rumours with new comments

Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has done little to dampen the increasing speculation over his future by admitting big club interest is "very flattering".

The 25-year-old's long-term future at Anfield has been called into question after he admitted in a January press conference, prior to the Champions League clash with Lille, that he'd been presented with a new contract offer but had yet to sign it.

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have both been credited with an interest in signing Konate, who has previously expressed an interest in playing for the former as he was born in Paris, and there's seemingly been no movement – publicly reported at least – on the proposed signing of his new deal.

Liverpool are enjoying a great season under Arne Slot, with Konate key to the club's success so far, and are four points clear of Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title having topped the revamped 32-team Champions League first phase table.

But in an interview with French network Telefoot, in quotes relayed by Get Football News France, Konate, who is out of contract in the summer of 2026, has again spoken favourably of being in the transfer headlines.

"To hear big clubs like that are showing interest in me is very flattering!," Konate said. "Now I’m focussing on this season, giving it my all and I’ll let my agents take care of the rest."

Konate's standing at Liverpool, and negotiating power, has increased over time with a new contract for centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk yet to be finalised. The Dutchman, regarded by many to be the best central defender in the world, will become a free agent in the summer unless the Reds are able to negotiate an extension.

Their inability to do so far only heightens Konate's importance, as does the ongoing injury problems of Joe Gomez. Jarell Quansah is Liverpool's only other senior centre-back, but he remains relatively inexperienced at the highest level and is yet to be trusted to play in the big games that Konate often excels in.

PSG, for what its worth, have been in great form under Luis Enrique this season, while Real Madrid are looking for centre-back solutions amid an injury crisis that has sidelined Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba.

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