Ibrahima Konaté is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires next month after talks over a new deal broke down.The France international had previously indicated he was close to agreeing an extension, but negotiations ultimately stalled due to a significant gap between his wage demands and the club’s valuation.

Discussions between Konaté and Liverpool have been ongoing since November 2023 and continued over the following two and a half years, with the club repeatedly offering improved terms in an attempt to secure his long-term future.

Despite Liverpool’s willingness in recent years to sanction high-profile contracts for key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, the club have reportedly decided not to meet Konaté’s financial expectations, choosing instead to prioritise other areas of their wage structure.

Liverpool are already among the Premier League’s highest spenders on salaries, and the decision reflects a broader strategy of balancing resources while planning for squad evolution.

The report also notes that Liverpool have been active in the transfer market, with young defensive options such as Jeremy Jacquet, whose move from Rennes was agreed earlier in the year, and Giovanni Leoni, who joined previously but suffered a serious injury on his debut.Alongside Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, the club believe they still possess strong depth in central defence despite Konaté’s expected departure.Konaté has made 183 appearances for Liverpool since joining from RB Leipzig for £36 million.He has been a regular starter under manager Arne Slot, featuring in 36 league matches this season and 30 in the previous campaign.His impending exit marks the end of a seven-year spell at Anfield and continues a wider period of squad transition at the club.