Arsenal are among the teams being kept informed about the contract situation of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, according to reports.

The Frenchman’s current deal expires at the end of the season and TBRFootball claim the Gunners, Chelsea and several other teams have been made aware of his potential availability by agents.

They go as far as to say that teams, including Mikel Arteta’s side, could be “ready to pounce” if Konate does become a free agent next summer.

At this moment in time, the player himself is not actively seeking a move away from Anfield. He is a regular starter for the Reds, but there has been no breakthrough in talks over a contract extension.

Konate already has a friend at Arsenal

Speaking about William Saliba whilst away on international duty last year, the Liverpool star revealed that the two are close off the pitch, despite the fact that the Gunners defender started ahead of him at Euro 2024:

“William Saliba is a friend and like a brother to me. I told him it was his moment and that he had to seize it. Given his performances with Arsenal, he deserved it too. I was happy for him.”

Saliba has since been paired with Konate in the centre of defence for France, although he did miss the last round of international fixtures due to injury.

Arteta doesn’t need another centre-half

Despite Konate’s undoubted qualities, it is not a position that Arsenal really need to strengthen. In addition to the first-choice pairing of Saliba and Gabriel, the London club have also signed two other centre-backs in recent months.

Piero Hincapie has arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, while Cristhian Mosquera was brought in from Valencia. The Spaniard has looked particularly impressive, putting in some strong displays during the opening weeks of the season.

Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here