Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted he speaks with Ibrahima Konate about his contract situation at the club. The Frenchman has yet to sign a new deal and is in the final months of his contract.
Liverpool Captain Wants Teammate To Extend Contract at Anfield
Konate delivered an exceptional performance against Sunderland this week, and Van Dijk has not hesitated to praise his teammate. The Dutchman said he is aware of the negotiations between the club and the defender and acknowledged that such deals are rarely straightforward.
The club captain added that he wants the 26-year-old to remain at Anfield, describing him as an important player and a leader in the dressing room. He said (per Liverpool Echo):
“We are friends, we speak about everything. It’s a process, and let’s see what comes out of it. It’s never that easy. We saw with my situation last year, so it’s never that easy that we can just say: ‘Let’s get it done’. It’s a process, and let’s see what comes out of it. Obviousl,y I want him to stay. He’s an important figure on the pitch. That’s what everyone sees, but off the pitch as well, he’s one of the leaders. He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class centre back.”
Virgil van Dijk on Ibou Konate:
“Obviously I want him to stay. He’s an important figure on the pitch. He’s one of the leaders. He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class centre back.” pic.twitter.com/1xbvOyfjC8
— Slotoholic (@Slotoholic) February 12, 2026
Van Dijk suggested he has done what he can to convince the Frenchman to sign, comparing the situation to his own last year and noting that several factors can delay negotiations. He said:
“I can do only so much, but it’s in the club’s hands, together with his agents and himself, so let’s see what comes out of it, but I have no influence otherwise on that. It was not my decision to leave [my contract] that late, but it is what it is. There is always hope [for Konate staying].”
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Konate was a target for Real Madrid last summer and remains on their radar ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The Reds have already secured a long-term replacement for the Frenchman, signing Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes during the January window.
The young defender will not join until the summer, having agreed to a contract that begins in July 2026, with the club reportedly paying $85 million for the 20-year-old.
