Soccer-Liverpool's Konate says he is close to agreeing new contract

Liverpool centre back Ibrahima Konate said he is close ​to agreeing a new contract with the ​Premier League club, with his ‌current deal ​set to expire at the end of the season. The 26-year-old France international, who joined from RB Leipzig in 2021 for a ‌fee of 36 million pounds ($49 million), had been linked in the media with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Konate has been an integral part of Arne Slot's side, forming a formidable defensive ‌partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk. During his time at Anfield, he has won the Premier ‌League, two League Cups and the FA Cup, and finished runner-up in the Champions League. "There are many things people have said, but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement," ⁠Konate ​told reporters after Liverpool's ⁠last-gasp 2-1 derby win over Everton on Sunday.

"I think everyone wished for that as soon as possible, but we are ⁠in a good way. "For sure, there is a big chance that I'm here next season. This is what ​I've always wanted.

"I'm waiting to sort the contract, but when everything is sorted you will ⁠have to ask Richard Hughes (Liverpool' sporting director) what I said to him in September and November, before everyone talked about ⁠everything. ​He's going to say something to make everyone quiet. The current campaign is set to end without silverware for the defender, with Liverpool eliminated from the Champions League, FA Cup and ⁠League Cup, and sitting fifth in the Premier League with five matches remaining.

"It's been a bad season ⁠for the standards of ⁠Liverpool. If we finish in the top four, we won't be happy, for sure," Konate added. "It's such an amazing club and an amazing family. ‌This club means ‌so much to me." ($1 = 0.7396 pounds)