Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate reportedly has no release clause in his current contract amidst interest from Real Madrid in his signature.
The Reds are on course to win the Premier League title given they are 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with just nine matchweeks remaining in the top flight.
Boss Arne Slot has been able to take the Merseysiders to their current position thanks to a strong defensive foundation, with Virgil van Dijk and Konate forming a formidable partnership ahead of Alisson Becker.
However, centre-back Konate will have just one year left on his Liverpool contract in the summer transfer window, and no extension appears imminent despite talks having reportedly taken place.
Though the likes of Real Madrid have been linked to the Frenchman, the Liverpool ECHO claim that there is no release clause in his contract amidst speculation that he would be allowed to leave should an interested party pay £50.2m.
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How important is Konate?
While Van Dijk has been praised by pundits for his performances in 2024-25, there is an argument that Konate's role at Liverpool is more demanding.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been criticised for defensive lapses, but his mixed showings at the back have often not been punished thanks to Konate, who has regularly covered the right channel.
The 25-year-old is arguably one of the finest one-on-one defenders in the Premier League, and his ability to cover for Alexander-Arnold has helped the team limit the impact of oppositions wingers such as Son Heung-min.
Though the Frenchman has had his injury issues in the past, he has already played in 23 of his side's 29 Premier League games this term, the most he has ever featured for Liverpool in the top flight.
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Will Slot face a defensive crisis in the summer?
While Liverpool could be forced into selling Konate should the defender not renew his contract at the club, Slot could have to reconfigure the rest of his backline too.
Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk are both set to leave Anfield for free at the end of the season unless a last-minute agreement can be reached.
Elsewhere, left-back Andrew Robertson has been criticised for his performances in 2024-25 and the Merseysiders have frequently been credited with an interest in potential replacements such as Milos Kerkez.
Slot would have surpassed expectations should he win the Premier League with Liverpool this term, but it would be difficult for him to retain the title next season should he have to replace the majority of his defence.
Lewis Nolan
