![\"Arne](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Arne-Slot-John-Henry-Liverpool-2-1140x641.png\")
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(Credit: Hassan Karim, Breaking Media\/Imago)<\/p>\n
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Sun 17 August 2025 17:33, UK <\/p>\n
Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool as soon as January if Marc Guehi completes a move to Anfield this summer, sources have told Football Insider.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider\u2019s Inside Track podcast<\/strong><\/a>, senior correspondent Pete O\u2019Rourke<\/a> revealed what his sources have said about Konate\u2019s uncertain long-term future at Liverpool.<\/p>\n Konate<\/a>\u2018s fifth season at Anfield got off to a torrid start in their opening-day win over Bournemouth, and Matt Le Tissier<\/a> told Football Insider<\/strong> that this will accelerate Liverpool\u2019s pursuit of Guehi<\/a> this summer.<\/p>\n The Reds have already signed 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni<\/a> from Parma and are in talks with Crystal Palace for Guehi<\/a>, both of whom are younger than the current first-choice pairing of Konate and Virgil van Dijk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Liverpool and Konate\u2019s contract talks have been unsuccessful<\/a> so far this summer, and sources have told Football Insider <\/strong>that Arne Slot<\/a>\u2018s side could take action in January to avoid losing the Frenchman for free.<\/p>\n Real Madrid<\/a>\u2018s interest in Konate is long-standing and Football Insider <\/strong>sources have said that Liverpool<\/a> may look to offload him if a new deal isn\u2019t agreed by January, with the 26-year-old\u2019s situation similar to that of Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a>.<\/p>\n Konate to juggle Liverpool duties with Marc Guehi, Giovanni Leoni<\/strong><\/p>\n Football Insider<\/strong> revealed last month that Real Madrid are ready to launch a cut-price bid<\/a> for Konate in the region of \u00a325million, but Liverpool are only likely to accept this if Guehi does arrive this summer.<\/p>\n MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES<\/p>\n Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast<\/strong><\/a>, O\u2019Rourke said that while Slot will use Leoni and potentially Guehi in tandem with Van Dijk and Konate this season, the latter\u2019s long-term prospects don\u2019t look good. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019ll have any immediate impact on Konate\u2019s future\u201d, he told Football Insider<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cLiverpool might be planning ahead in case they do lose Konate, and Guehi is potentially seen as a long-term heir to Virgil van Dijk, who\u2019s not getting any younger.<\/p>\n \u201cMarc Guehi, at only 25, could be Liverpool\u2019s centre-back for the next 10 years all being well, and Leoni obviously is a young player \u2013 huge potential at only 18.<\/p>\n \u201cFor Konate, talks will continue during the season to see if a deal can be agreed \u2013\u00a0if he still hasn\u2019t signed a new deal by January, Liverpool could look to try and offload him even though he is an untouchable in the starting XI.<\/p>\n \u201cWith some of those foreign suitors \u2013 the likes of Real Madrid are strongly in for Konate \u2013 they could agree a pre-contract. <\/p>\n \u201cIt could be a similar situation to what Liverpool experienced with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was into the final year of his contract before he eventually agreed a deal with Real Madrid.\u201d<\/p>\n Guehi transfer saga gives glimpse into Liverpool future<\/strong><\/p>\n Liverpool are still some way off completing the signing of arguably England\u2019s best centre-back this summer, with Football Insider<\/strong> revealing that Guehi\u2019s move to Anfield could be delayed<\/a> by 12 months.<\/p>\n![\"Ibrahima](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Konate-RM-23325-fi-web-1024x576.png\")
Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Ibrahima Konate (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)<\/p>\n![\"Marc](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Marc-Guehi-Crystal-Palace-1024x575.png\")
Liverpool are locked in talks with Crystal Palace for their skipper Marc Guehi (Credit: Imago)<\/p>\n![\"Parma](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/giovanni-leoni-1024x683.jpg\")
Leoni enjoyed a breakout season in Serie A with Parma (Credit: Imago)<\/p>\n