Richard Hughes seals deal for ‘really important’ player as Romano confirms talks with £60million star

Liverpool hope to soon announce they have reached an agreement to extend defender Ibrahima Konate’s contract, but the Reds are seemingly losing the battle to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold after a worrying update over a move to Real Madrid.

The Merseysiders made their latest international breakthrough in the Premier League, winning nine of their 10 games under Arne Slot in all competitions since the Dutchman’s appointment this summer. And while the feel-good factor at Anfield remains as high as ever, there is a dark shadow lurking over Liverpool when it comes to the future of three of their star men: Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

And with the trio’s contracts all set to expire at the end of the season and even more alarming as free transfers abroad will be negotiated from January 1 – just 84 days away – fears are growing that three of the trio’s most influential stars of the club will all leave after this. summer.

While Liverpool have not given up on keeping all three, the Reds sporting director has this week stepped up his search to tie down some other vital members of Slot’s squad, with homegrown defender Jarell Quansah signing a new long-term contract this week signed to stay at Anfield. .

Next on Hughes’ hit list is another centre-back in the form of £60m Konate, who has just under two years left on his existing contract, which is worth £71,000-a-week.

Now, trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that talks between Hughes and Konate’s entourage are progressing – and they hope to reach an agreement on a new contract soon.

“Liverpool is making progress in talks on a new contract, including for Ibrahima Konate, another crucial player for the Liverpool project and a very important central defender,” Romano confirmed. TikTokwith the reporter also confirming earlier this week that the player is “very happy” at Anfield.

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Konate gives Liverpool a boost – but what next for Salah, Trent and Van Dijk?

News of Konate’s impending deal with Liverpool will be a major boost for Hughes, with the Reds coming in for a degree of criticism for allowing Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk to move in within nine months of the expiry of their contracts.

Sources confirmed to us last month that Real Madrid representatives were in what was described to us as ‘constant contact’ over a deal for Alexander-Arnold, with the 25-year-old highly seen as their top target for 2025.

And a worrying update on the situation on Wednesday has suggested that Alexander-Arnold is now on the verge of agreeing a move to Real Madrid, with Hughes’ attempts to tie him down ultimately coming to naught.

Although this report is yet to be confirmed, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if the homegrown star was lured away as Mark Lawrenson recently explained why the Spanish giants’ appeal will prove impossible to resist.

Still, Paul Joyce by The times emphasized earlier this week that talks between the trio are continuing. He wrote: ‘The developments (Quansah and Konate) are welcome, but at the same time they will not distract from the ongoing impasse with Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold.

‘There has been contact between the club and representatives of all three players, but the discussions have not found common ground.’

James Pearce of Athletics refuses to write off all three remaining players, after stating: ‘The dialogue with the representatives of these three players remains open and ongoing.’

Liverpool learn terms for free transfer coup / Prem winger linked

Meanwhile, Romano has revealed that Liverpool are among a group of sides who have taken note of the circumstances surrounding the future of Jonathan David, who looks set to leave Lille as a free agent next summer.

The Canadian striker has scored an impressive 92 goals in 194 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, but with his contract expiring in 2025, interest in his services is increasing.

And while Liverpool are joined by Arsenal and Newcastle in the search for his services, we understand that it is an Italian side that has placed itself at the front of the queue to sign the striker.

Another striker who appears to be of interest to Liverpool is Bournemouth’s in-form winger Antoine Semenyo, who has already scored four goals in eight games this season.

Predictably, however, the Reds are not the only side interested as Tottenham have been credited with an interest and his likely asking price is emerging.

IN PROFILE: Konate’s importance to Liverpool cannot be understated

Konate joined from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 on a £36 million contract but has struggled to secure a regular starting spot under Jurgen Klopp.

The centre-back did not start the first match of the 2024/25 season under Arne Slot, but came into action at half-time against Ipswich Town and has started every Premier League match since.

In total, Konate has made 51 Premier League appearances for Liverpool. They have won 31 of those matches, drawn 12 and lost eight.

Liverpool have a win rate of 60.7 percent when the France international starts in the Premier League and a loss rate of 15.6 percent.

The Reds also conceded 48 goals in those matches, an average of 0.94 goals conceded per league match.

Konate has been left out of Liverpool’s starting line-up for 70 Premier League games. Of those matches, 46 were won, sixteen were drawn and eight were lost.

Liverpool’s win percentage increases slightly to 65.7 percent when the 25-year-old does not start, and their loss percentage drops to 11.4 percent.

But they did concede 68 Premier League goals in the games Konate didn’t start, with an average of 0.97 goals conceded per game.