Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate reveals he is close to agreeing new contract at club

[p]The 26-year-old France international, who joined from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rb-leipzig/KbS1suSm/"]RB ‌Leipzig[/a] in 2021 for a fee of 36 ‌million pounds ($49 million), had been linked in the media with ‌a move to Spanish giants [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/konate-ibrahima/QJlbDbQe/"]Konate[/a] has ‌been an integral part of Arne Slot's side, forming a formidable defensive partnership with captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-dijk-virgil/U59RNqOr/"]Virgil van Dijk[/a]. During his ‌time at Anfield, he has won the ⁠Premier League, two ‌League Cups and the FA Cup, and finished runner-up in the ​Champions League.[/p][p][b]"There are many things people have said, but for a long time we have ​spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement," [/b]Konate told reporters after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a]'s last-gasp [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/everton-KluSTr9s/liverpool-lId4TMwf/?mid=GtGge8Ks"]2-1 ⁠derby win[/a] over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/everton/KluSTr9s/"]​Everton[/a] on Sunday.[/p][embed guid="54e30047-2092-4e82-84ae-f95d7747df0d" url="https://x.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/2046182501631107117" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I think everyone wished for that as soon as possible, but we are in a good way.[/b][/p][p][b]"For sure, there is a big chance that I'm here ‌next season. This is what I've always wanted.[/b][/p][p][b]"I'm waiting to sort the contract, but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard Hughes (Liverpool' sporting director) what I said to him in September and November, before everyone talked about everything. He's going to say something to make everyone quiet."[/b][/p][p]The current campaign is set to end without silverware for the defender, ‌with Liverpool eliminated from the Champions League, FA Cup ​and League Cup, and sitting fifth in the ‌Premier League with five matches remaining.[/p][p][b]"It's been a bad season for the standards of Liverpool. If we finish in the top four, we won't be happy, for sure,"[/b] Konate added. [b]"It's such an amazing club ⁠and an amazing ⁠family. This club means ‌so much to me."[/b][/p]