Ibrahima Konate Contract Talks ‘Some Way Off’ as Liverpool Face ‘Big Decision’ – Journalist | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Huijsen as Centre-Back Puzzle Looms Over Slot’s Champions

As Liverpool bask in the glow of a historic Premier League triumph under new boss Arne Slot, work has already begun behind the scenes to shape the next title-challenging squad. One of the key questions to be resolved this summer is the centre-back conundrum, with fresh links to Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s future.

Huijsen Interest Highlights Slot’s Long-Term Vision

According to a detailed report by James Pearce for The Athletic, Liverpool are firmly in the race to sign 20-year-old centre-back Dean Huijsen, who has impressed during his first season at AFC Bournemouth. Huijsen is a composed ball-playing defender, known for his ability to carry the ball out from the back — a key trait in Slot’s high-possession, progressive system.

Photo: IMAGO

Huijsen, a Spain international, has a £50 million release clause, and interest in him is widespread. Chelsea are reportedly leading the chase at this stage, but Liverpool remain in close contact and view him as an ideal profile to thrive under Slot’s guidance.

His signing would represent a forward-thinking move, fitting the club’s recent approach of investing in youth with high potential — much like the acquisitions of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister last summer.

Konaté Uncertainty Fuels Transfer Momentum

What complicates the club’s thinking is the contract situation of Ibrahima Konaté. The Frenchman’s deal is running into its final year, and while both parties have expressed a willingness to continue, negotiations are ‘some way off’.

“This is a conversation with the club and we will see,” Konaté said during the title celebrations, leaving fans and executives alike in suspense.

Photo: IMAGO

There’s no panic yet, but the club face a dilemma. If the impasse continues through next season, they risk losing a valuable asset for nothing in 2026. Liverpool will prioritise squad stability and performance, much as they did when they rejected Al Ittihad’s £150 million bid for Mohamed Salah in 2023, valuing team cohesion above a tempting windfall.

Slot’s Stamp Begins to Show

Slot’s immediate success has already won over many at Anfield, but the Dutchman is now entering the phase of building a team in his own image. Signing Huijsen would be a signal of that — moving away from reactive defending and towards a system that controls games from the back.

Liverpool fans will remember past windows where promising targets slipped through the net. With Chelsea reportedly ahead, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Reds can assert themselves in the transfer market as confidently as they have on the pitch.

Photo: IMAGO

Balancing Act Between Risk and Reinforcement

While it’s unlikely Liverpool will invest heavily across multiple areas this summer, centre-back is now a live priority. With Joe Gomez also potentially departing, Virgil van Dijk aging, and Ibrahima Konate yet to agree a new contract, strengthening this position is no longer optional.

Whether Konaté stays or not, adding someone like Huijsen would provide depth and future-proofing — essential if Slot is to keep Liverpool at the summit.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a supporter’s perspective, this report is both exciting and unsettling. On one hand, the idea of bringing in Dean Huijsen — a highly-rated young defender with elite pedigree — fits exactly the kind of smart business Liverpool should be doing. He’s young, already international level, and reportedly well-suited to Slot’s progressive approach.

But there’s a nagging concern. If Chelsea are truly ahead, why haven’t Liverpool acted faster? We’ve seen this story before: dithering over price tags, letting rivals swoop in. The longer Konaté’s contract situation lingers, the more it feels like we’re walking into another defensive transition without clarity. Remember how we waited too long to replace Gini Wijnaldum in midfield?

Konaté has the potential to be world-class, but if there’s genuine doubt about his future, then Liverpool need to be proactive — not reactive. The club can’t afford another late-window scramble.