London, April 20 -- Ibrahima Konate says he is "close to an agreement" with Liverpool overa new contract and there is a "big chance" he will remain at Anfield next season.
The France centre-back's current deal expires this summer, five years after he joined from RB Leipzig for £35m.
Speaking after Liverpool's Merseyside derby win on Sunday, the 26-year-old insisted his futurehas never been in doubt, implying that he told sporting director Richard Hughes from the outsetof negotiations he did not want to leave, according to BBC sport.
"There are many things people have said but for a long time we have spoken with the club and we are close to an agreement," said Konate.
"I think everyone wished for that for as soon as possible but we ...