Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate is supposedly holding out for a mammoth pay rise before he commits his future to the Reds with a new contract.
The France international is still on the same five-year deal he penned upon his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2021, meaning that his terms expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
However, Liverpool have made it their mission to extend Konate's stay, as the 25-year-old has become a key component of a Reds side that are 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Konate struggled with recurring injuries during the earliest days of his Liverpool spell, but the centre-back has largely stayed fit this term and has made 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and setting up two more.
The 25-year-old is apparently a target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain heading into the summer window, and as things stand, he will be free to talk to foreign clubs in January 2026.
Konate 'wants £200k a week' in new Liverpool deal'
© Imago
While the Reds are hopeful that a new deal will be concluded, The Times reports that Konate wants his weekly wage to rise from £80,000 to £200,000 if he is to extend his terms.
Such an increase would bring the former Leipzig man more in line with Liverpool's top earners, as only Van Dijk (£220k) and Mohamed Salah (£350k) currently earn more than £200k a week, according to Capology.
At present, Konate's £80,000 wage is just lower than Joe Gomez's £85,000 and significantly less than the likes of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota (both £140k) and Federico Chiesa (£150k), all of whom have been far less impressive than the Frenchman.
However, Trent Alexander-Arnold's impending move to Real Madrid should free up the space on the wage bill needed to fulfil Konate's demands, as the Englishman currently pockets £180k a week at Anfield.
Konate's bumper payday would reflect his status as one of Arne Slot's most trusted performers, and the 25-year-old has now come up with five goals and four assists in 126 matches for Liverpool in all competitions.
What about Salah, Van Dijk's contract situations?
© Imago
At the start of the 2025-26 season, both of Liverpool's first-choice centre-backs should be on brand-new contracts, as a breakthrough has seemingly been reached in talks with Van Dijk.
The 33-year-old - whose current deal expires in June - revealed after last weekend's 3-2 loss to Fulham that there had been 'progress' in talks, and a full agreement should not be too far away.
The same is true of Salah, who like Van Dijk has been determined to find an agreement to stay at Liverpool and is set to snub the advances of the Saudi Pro League for a little while longer.
However, as Liverpool have not yet wrapped up the Premier League title, fans should not expect any announcements for a while as Salah, Van Dijk and co prioritise matters on the field rather than off it.
Ben Knapton
