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Topics: Football, Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool, Arne Slot
Nasir Jabbar
A Liverpool star has 'decided to leave' after being 'disappointed' with the Reds' first contract offer.
Liverpool have recruited new players this summer, having signed Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.
Frimpong and Wirtz joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5 million and a club-record £116 million respectively, while Kerkez was confirmed on Thursday in a deal worth £40 million.
They remain in the market for new talent and have been given the 'green light' to purse the signing of Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak.
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But as well as incomings, several outgoings are expected ahead of the new season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold departing for Real Madrid.
He left for a fee despite his contract expiring this month.
And, according to Football365, Ibrahima Konate is 'ready' to follow in his former teammate's footsteps by running down his contract before leaving on a free transfer.
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Konate, 26, is said to be 'disappointed' at Liverpool's initial contract offer and wants a new challenge amid interest from Europe, including Real.
Talks between the defender and Liverpool have reportedly 'stalled' as sporting director Richard Hughes is desperate to resolve his contract situation this summer.
A report in The Guardian claims Konate's representatives pushed for a higher basic wage after Liverpool's offer was heavily based on meeting certain performance targets.
And talks over a new deal were delayed by Liverpool's focus on negotiating with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who both signed new two-year contracts.
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It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will be able to change Konate's mind and keep his services or offload him this summer to receive a fee.
The Frenchman moved to Liverpool from RB Leipzig for £36 million in the summer of 2021.
He has played 132 games for the club, including 42 appearances across all competitions under Arne Slot last season.
Konate has won the Premier League, FA Cup and two EFL Cups during his time at the club.