'New contacts expected' in April as Liverpool look to tie up agreement with £35m centre-back - Romano

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Liverpool are expected to make a renewed push to agree terms on a new contract for Ibrahima Konate in April.The Frenchman is currently heading towards becoming a free agent at the end of the season, but recent reports have claimed that the Reds are still confident of keeping Konate.With the clock rapidly ticking down, journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool are ready to make one last push to tie down their No. 5, with a final decision expected very soon.

Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images Konate’s final contract decision expected very soonKonate has been linked with Real Madrid as he weighs up his options for next season, but there have been some mixed messages in the press about whether Los Blancos really want him.Speaking to Caught Offside on Friday, Romano claimed that though Madrid’s official stance is that they are not in for Konate, they are still monitoring the potential of a new centre-back signing.“Liverpool remain in active conversations with Ibrahima Konate and his camp over a new contract,” he said. “From Real Madrid at the moment what I can say is that a few months ago, before Christmas, Real Madrid informed Liverpool that they were not advancing on a deal to sign Ibrahima Konate, but they keep following centre-backs on the market because David Alaba is expected to leave the club in the summer, so they could add one more.

“With Liverpool, the conversations are continuing, let’s see if they can find financial agreement. The player is open to continuing at Liverpool, but obviously it’s an important contract for his career, so the conversation is going to continue with new contacts expected this month to take a final decision as soon as possible.”Though, as Romano confirms, the signs are currently looking positive for Konate remaining at Liverpool for a sixth season and beyond, weariness will remain until the 26-year-old finally puts pen to paper.