Arsenal and Chelsea ready to pounce on Ibrahima Konate with Liverpool’s contract stance revealed

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TBR Football understands that Liverpool believe a number of their Premier League rivals are showing an interest in Ibrahima Konate – as they remain intent on trying to re-sign the French star.

After an indifferent couple of games to open the season, Konate has found his feet in Arne Slot’s tweaked system and has been outstanding in recent games as the club have enjoyed a perfect start to the new campaign – winning every game to this point.

We already know that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are both keen on Konate, as they seek to bolster their central defensive options.

However, we are now told that Liverpool understand there is interest emanating from England – but the club are not shocked or surprised by that.

Sources have informed TBR Football that intermediaries are doing their work and making the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City aware that Konate could be available for nothing next summer.

Liverpool understand that Konate himself is not pushing himself to any club, but agents and intermediaries are going to be doing their jobs and looking at options for him.

Exclusive: Premier League trio are monitoring Ibrahima Konate

Chief correspondent Graeme Bailey exclusively revealed to TBR Football that while Liverpool remain confident of extending Konate’s deal, they are expecting significant interest in his signature.

Bailey explained: “The ideal scenario for Liverpool is a new contract for Konate and signing Guehi on a free, but this is football and obviously neither could happen.

“Richard Hughes, though, has gone head-to-head with Europe’s finest this summer, bringing in the likes of Isak, Kerkez and Ekitike – Liverpool fear nobody, both on the pitch or off it.

“But with Konate, they are aware that it is not just the likes of Madrid and Munich who could try and make him an offer, but they accept that – why wouldn’t someone like Chelsea make an offer if he is available on a free? Although clearly they hope it does not get to that point.”

To that point, TBR Football revealed that Liverpool continued talks with Konate’s camp in October. Discussions have not stopped. Konate has rejected earlier offers, but since the summer, we are told that talks have been positive and Liverpool believe that there is a real chance they will succeed in persuading him to sign fresh terms.

The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in the heart of central defence since the Reds activated his £36 million release clause at RB Leipzig in 2021 – he has excelled alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool have also confirmed that their interest in Marc Guehi this summer was unrelated to Konate’s situation at Anfield, with the Reds expected to compete for Guehi’s services when his contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the season.

The Reds recently lost Giovanni Leoni to an ACL injury, with the summer arrival expected to miss the majority of his maiden campaign in English football after his impressive debut in the Carabao Cup against Southampton.

Chelsea are expected to compete with Liverpool for Marc Guehi

As previously revealed by TBR Football, Chelsea have re-entered the frame for Guehi and are growing increasingly confident of bringing the defender back to Stamford Bridge.

Guehi spent 12 years at the academy in West London before departing for Crystal Palace in 2021 after impressing during a loan spell with Championship outfit Swansea City.

The defender has since been named captain of the Eagles and is now considered a fully established England international.

Chelsea will not be the only side that will rival Liverpool for the free agent signing in 2026, with Guehi expected to become one of the most in-demand players in the transfer market next year.