Liverpool, fresh from clinching the Premier League title last season, have bolstered their squad with seven key additions, including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have welcomed eight new faces, such as Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Liam Delap, while pursuing deals for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.
These moves come as the Blues aim to build on their Conference League triumph and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup victory to challenge for the domestic crown in the 2025/26 campaign.
Initially, reinforcing the centre-back position was not high on Chelsea's agenda this summer. However, Levi Colwill's severe knee injury has prompted a swift change in plans. Manager Enzo Maresca has publicly stated that finding a replacement for Colwill "is a priority."
Spanish outlet Defensa Central has claimed that Chelsea are preparing a fifty million euros offer, equivalent to forty-three point three million pounds or fifty-eight point two million dollars, to lure the French international from Anfield. The report aligns with earlier insights from AS on July 15, which indicated that Liverpool value Konate at that figure.
Konate, aged 26, has just 11 months left on his current contract with Liverpool, where he arrived in 2021. During his tenure, he has lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup twice with the Reds. Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins praised him as "world-class" in a February 2025 interview on Villa's YouTube channel.
Liverpool have been negotiating a contract extension with Konate for months, but no deal has materialized. Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on X on July 23 that "Konate received a new contract proposal from Liverpool," adding, "This offer would significantly increase his wages. Konate now considering options as he opened the door off the record to Real Madrid recently."
French journalist Abdellah Boulma posted on X at 11:11am on August 1: "Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate are still in talks over a contract extension. No full agreement yet, but the French defender is happy at the club and keen to stay."
David Lynch, speaking on Sports Mole's YouTube channel, revealed that Konate's "priority" remains renewing with Liverpool despite interest from Real Madrid. Lynch said: "Real Madrid are clearly interested aren't they, there is no question about that! But speaking to people close to Konate, I still get the feeling that his priority is to renew with Liverpool and there are talks there, but it is kind of stuck at the moment.
"I don't think it has reached the point of no return and the player has definitely decided he wants to go to Real Madrid, I don't get that feeling at all. That's not to say that it won't end in that way because that possibility is 100 per cent on the table, but we are still in the moment where there is hope there will be a breakthrough.
"The player is not desperate to get out of Liverpool or desperate to go to Real Madrid, it's not that kind of situation just yet, but they will have to put a contract on the table that is attractive to the player and, as of yet, that hasn't happened."
Defensa Central emphasized that Liverpool are "refusing" to sanction Konate's departure to Chelsea this summer, viewing the Blues as direct rivals unwilling to strengthen. The outlet also noted Konate's inclination toward a potential switch to Madrid.
This is not the first link between Chelsea and Konate; TBR journalist Graeme Bailey reported in March that the Blues had inquired about him and expressed interest to his representatives.
Under manager Arne Slot, Konate remains a cornerstone of Liverpool's defense, and losing him, especially to a Premier League competitor, would disrupt their title defense.
Positive developments in contract talks suggest Liverpool are optimistic about retaining him and avoiding a free exit next summer.
No recent updates from Liverpool, Chelsea, Maresca, Slot, or Konate on X have addressed these rumors directly.
Tottenham Hotspur have ignited the transfer market with a daring move to outmaneuver rivals Arsenal in the race for Crystal Palace's star midfielder Eberechi Eze, while also pursuing Manchester City's winger Savinho.
Newcastle United's star striker Alexander Isak has escalated his efforts to secure a blockbuster move to Liverpool, declaring he will never play for the Magpies again.
Everton are reportedly considering a move for Leicester City and Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku ahead of the transfer deadline this summer.
Liverpool are intensifying their pursuit of Crystal Palace's star centre-back Marc Guehi, with the London club now actively looking to cash in before his contract nears its end.
