Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate rejects transfer approach to quit Anfield THIS summer

Ibrahima Konate is attracting interest from Real Madrid after entering the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract and wants to remain in Europe despite big-money interest from Saudi Arabia

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has snubbed a lucrative approach from the Saudi Pro League – insisting he wants to remain in Europe. The France international centre-back has now entered the final year of his contract at Anfield and at this moment in time, is not close to signing a new deal.

Discussions have reached deadlock in recent months and Real Madrid are thought to be eyeing Konate on a free transfer after recently landing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Arne Slot’s champions.

However, in the past week, it’s understood an unnamed club from Saudi Arabia contacted Konate to register an interest in signing the ex-RB Leipzig stalwart THIS summer. But Konate, via his representatives, rebuffed the chance to sit down at the negotiating table and instead outlined his commitment to staying in Europe, where he wants to continue competing at the highest level.

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Liverpool would like to resolve his ongoing contract saga but there is a sense the 26-year-old may now be holding out for a move to Real Madrid and he’d be free to speak with Los Blancos from January 1.

The Reds are open to recruiting another central defender before the transfer window shuts having recently sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in a £35million deal.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is on their shortlist and they’ve also looked at Ajax’s Holland U21 international Jorrel Hato. Whether Liverpool would consider bids for Konate this summer – given the prospect of a new contract is currently up in the air – remains to be seen.

For now, the champions appear to be prioritising the signing of a marquee attacker after lodging an enquiry for Newcastle’s talisman Alexander Isak.

The Magpies do not want to sell but the Reds are also threatening to muscle in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike if Newcastle do not play ball.

Eddie Howe’s side have already seen a bid worth up to £69m including add-ons rejected for the Frenchman, who they’d like to pair with Isak at St James’ Park.

In the meantime, Liverpool have also rejected an initial offer worth up to £58.6m from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz.

The Colombian international is thought to be open to a transfer but Liverpool want to keep the player and believe Bayern’s bid is way below fair market value.

Napoli have also been pursuing Darwin Nunez, who is also the subject of fresh interest from the Middle East, but so far the Italians have not got close to Liverpool’s asking price.

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