Mohamed Salah has already given Liverpool hope that Ibrahima Konate won't quit club

Liverpool fans concerned over reports that centre-back Ibrahima Konate is to leave the club can take heart from last season's transfer saga over Mohamed Salah. Konate, 26, has just a year left on his deal at Anfield and is said to be unhappy over the terms offered for a new deal.

On Thursday, news broke that the French international had made a decision over his future. He's speculated to have decided to see out the final 12 months of his deal before leaving for free in the summer of 2026. A number of European clubs have been linked with the defender, with the development likely to spark a clamour for a pre-contract agreement.

However, French media outlet Foot Mercato broke the story courtesy of reporter Santi Aouan. The same journalist fell foul of Salah and his agent in March when the Egyptian's future was still up in the air on Merseyside.

Aouan claimed to have been exclusively informed that Salah, 33, was prepared to leave the Reds in the summer. He added that the club's record Premier League scorer favoured a move to La Liga.

His claims drew a response from Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa. On X, he wrote: "Where did you get this from if not even Mohamed and I discussed this? Please tell us."

Indeed, it turns out Issa was right, with Salah proceeding to sign a new two-year deal with Liverpool. A number of fans took to social media to thank their hero's right-hand man for clearing up the 'fake news'.

Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021. He's since made 131 club appearances and was pivotal to Arne Slot's side securing the Premier League title in 2024/25.

Regardless of his contract situation, Slot is unlikely to let the 23-cap international leave in this window. It would leave the Dutchman short of defensive cover with Jarrell Quansah closing in on a move to Bayer Leverkusen, and Joe Gomez also tipped to depart the club.