Why has Ibrahima Konate not yet signed his Liverpool contract extension and is he still on track to stay?
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More than three weeks have now passed since Ibrahima Konate publicly declared that he was ‘very close’ to signing a new contract with Liverpool.Though the Frenchman seemed absolutely assured that he would remain at Anfield beyond the end of his current deal, which expires in a little over six weeks, nothing has yet been announced.With less than two weeks of the season now left to play, fans are beginning to wonder what exactly is the hold up with Konate. 5 is still more likely to stay at Liverpool than leave.
How damaging could the dropped points still prove to be? We could do with Bournemouth losing… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley Signing-on and agent fees delaying Konate agreementWhen Konate made his declaration in the mixed zone at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it had seemed like a matter of time before an official announcement of his new contract emerged.According to TeamTALK, there is still ‘confidence on both sides’ that Konate will ultimately stay, with personal terms no longer a problem.However, what is holding the deal up is said to be an agreement on the 26-year-old’s ‘signing-on package and the associated agent commissions.’Though the discussions are reported to be ‘delicate’, it is claimed that work is being done to find a consensus which would allow Konate to stay.Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Barcola or Diomande?
Answering the question every Liverpool fan is asking about the Reds’ summer businessThe France international is said to be in line to receive a ‘substantial’ wage increase, and is still making a stay with Liverpool his top priority, while the club themselves are similarly keen to see him sign an extension.Although there is a will to get across the line on both sides, though, there reportedly remains a chance that no agreement will be found, and that Konate will therefore leave as a free agent.Clearly, the clock is against matters here, but if Konate and Liverpool are patient and committed to finding an understanding, then it is possible that the former RB Leipzig man becomes a free agent before signing again for the Reds.In that respect, the deadline can stretch beyond the 30th June termination date, but hopefully things can be ironed out long before that becomes necessary. Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox