Hugo Ekitike has publicly urged Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract with Liverpool, in a comment that caught widespread attention online.
The French forward was spotted leaving a message on Konate’s Instagram account, with the words: “Sign brother.”
Reports have since confirmed that Konate is expected to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, despite the club’s efforts to keep him.
Liverpool made a contract offer to the centre-back, with reports suggesting the defender and his representatives were presented with a strong deal.
Despite those efforts, it appears Konate does not believe signing the contract on offer is in his own best interests.
The club has not been willing to repeatedly adjust their position in order to retain the player, even though losing him will significantly impact their squad planning.
There is, however, little doubt that players within the squad share Ekitike’s desire to keep such an important figure at the club.
Konate is considered to be objectively worth between £50m and £60m, making his potential departure a particularly costly outcome for Liverpool.
A failure to manage the situation adequately, and to identify potential market alternatives such as Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, could force the club into spending money on a replacement.
Liverpool could therefore find themselves in the difficult position of paying a significant transfer fee to bring in someone who would simply fill the void left by Konate’s exit.
The defender wore the number five shirt at Liverpool, and his departure represents a major loss ahead of what is set to be a pivotal summer transfer window.
