Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract offer hints at just how much Ibrahima Konate is demanding in new deal

Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market ahead of the new season as they look to build on recent success.

The Reds have already signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool are also close to announcing Florian Wirtz, after agreeing on a record-deal worth £126m for him, while Milos Kerkez is also close to signing for Liverpool.

However, despite progress on the recruitment front, Liverpool are facing challenges with contract negotiations for key players.

They recently lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, after the England international rejected a new deal at Anfield.

And Ibrahima Konate is another player Liverpool are struggling to tie down to a new deal.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Ibrahima Konate seeking wages close to what Liverpool offered Trent Alexander-Arnold

The latest report from TBR Football has claimed that Konate is demanding big money from Liverpool in order to sign a new deal.

It’s understood the Frenchman wants a salary in the same bracket as what the club had proposed to Alexander-Arnold.

The Mirror previously reported that Liverpool offered Alexander-Arnold a contract worth £300,000 per week, an offer he turned down before sealing a free transfer to Madrid.

This is indicative of what Konate wants to stay at the club. However, the demand for a major salary rise may also be a way to force the club’s hand, or even engineer a move away.

Are Liverpool facing another Trent Alexander-Arnold saga with Ibrahima Konate

Real Madrid have shown interest in signing Konate, and it has been previously suggested that they may be attempting a similar strategy to the one used to lure Alexander-Arnold, encouraging Konate to run down his contract to sign for free.

With just 12 months left on his current contract before it expires, Konate will be free to pre-agree a deal with another European club in six months.

That leaves Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes in a tough position, with a summer sale now a realistic possibility unless an agreement is reached soon.

Ibrahima Konate’s salary compared to other players at Liverpool

Konate has no doubt been an outstanding player for the club, forming a formidable partnership at the back with Virgil van Dijk.

Not only does he aspire to eclipse his Dutch teammate’s career, Konate has also jokingly expressed his frustration about the lack of appreciation he gets because he plays alongside the quality of Van Dijk.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s crazy how many Man of the Match [awards] I could get this season. It’s very good to play with Virg because he is a very good player, but sometimes people who watch the game they think it’s only Virgil who plays. No, I am playing as well. I’ve had a great game as well, but no, but because it’s Virgil. I’m not jealous, but watch the game, and it will tell you the truth.”

The player sees himself not far behind the likes of the Liverpool captain in terms of performance.

Van Dijk is currently on £350,000 per week after signing a new deal in April, while Mohamed Salah is the club’s top earner on £400,000 per week.

Player Weekly Wage Mohamed Salah £400,000 Virgil van Dijk £350,000 Andy Robertson £160,000 Alexis Mac Allilster, Alisson Becker,

Ryan Gravenberch, Federico Chiesa £150,000 Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez £140,000 Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai £120,000 Joe Gomez £85,000 Kostas Tsimikas, Conor Bradley £75,000 Ibrahima Konate £70,000 Salaries at Liverpool via Capology

The gap between Liverpool’s top two earners and the rest of the squad is significant, with the next highest earner being Andy Robertson on £160,000 per week.

Konate is currently on £70,000 per week. With him essentially asking his salary to be more than doubled, it remains to be seen whether the club meets his demand or decides to cash in on him this summer.

Click here to read article