Arsenal have been encouraged to monitor Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate’s situation, as the French defender’s contract is set to expire next summer. Talks over a renewal have stalled, opening the door for clubs like Real Madrid—and potentially Arsenal—to consider a move.
Konate has grown into a reliable presence alongside Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s backline, but he reportedly feels let down by the current terms on the table. At 26, he’s entering a key stage of his career, and his unresolved future has caught the attention of top European clubs.
Despite the defender’s importance to Liverpool, no agreement has been reached. Speaking to the media last month, Konate dismissed rumours that he had demanded more from the club, insisting the speculation online was false. He clarified that while an offer was made and he responded, the situation was far from resolved.
Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn weighed in, urging his former club to be alert if Konate becomes available. However, he acknowledged that fitting him into a squad that already includes William Saliba, Gabriel, and a potential new signing like Cristhian Mosquera could be difficult.
Winterburn emphasized that although Konate is a strong defender, it remains unclear how he’d fit in given Arsenal’s existing options. Still, the modern game’s acceptance of rotation might make such a move feasible, especially as long-term squad depth remains important.
Arsenal, while considering Konate’s availability, are also focused on securing a new striker. The choice seems to be between Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. Gyokeres, currently at Sporting Lisbon, is reportedly locked in a dispute with the Portuguese club, which could affect any potential deal.
Winterburn also warned that a switch to Arsenal would present Konate with a more competitive challenge. He added that attackers like Gyokeres must prove their worth at Arsenal regardless of past success elsewhere, stressing that goals in key matches are what ultimately matter in north London.
As Arsenal aim to strengthen both ends of the pitch, the evolving situations of Konate and Gyokeres could play a significant role in shaping their summer business