Liverpool are reportedly preparing to lose Ibrahima Konate in 2026.
The France international has developed into a key player under Arne Slot after being a rotation option with Joel Matip in Jurgen Klopp's time in charge at Anfield.
However, with contract extension talks continuing to not yield a positive solution, the club hierarchy have made their stance clear over the situation.
Konate's current deal expires at the end of the 2025/26 season and the Reds are gearing up for him to leave on a free transfer as Real Madrid and PSG prepare offers.
The club ownership are determined to avoid a repeat of the chaos from earlier this year where Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all entered the final six months their previous contracts.
Salah and Van Dijk eventually renewed until 2027, with Trent moving on to Madrid, but the tension and pressure placed on renewal talks caused frustration behind the scenes.
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Liverpool completed a deal to sign Italy U19 international Giovanni Leoni in August, but Arne Slot wants two players to cover each squad position, and Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo has emerged as an option.
As per reports from Spanish transfer outlet Fichajes.net, Barcelona are open to offers which meet their €50m [£44m] valuation, with Liverpool open to a January bid to ease his transition.
Barcelona would prefer not to lose a player mid-season, but waiting until the summer will trim Araujo's asking price, and the Uruguayan is keen on an exit.
Despite signing a contract extension until 2031 in January, Araujo is not a first-choice pick for Hansi Flick, with his renewal aimed at protected his value.
Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez were Flick's preferred centre-back duo in their 2024/25 treble-winning campaign, and despite the latter's summer move to Al Nassr, Araujo is still battling with Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen for a starting spot.
Liverpool's ongoing interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi remains a factor, and Slot is confident of wrapping a free transfer in 2026, which would retain funds for Araujo to ensure his defensive pool remains deep.
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