Real Madrid Eyes Ibrahima Konate as Liverpool Faces Potential Loss
Real Madrid is aggressively pursuing Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate, encouraging him to join for free in 2026. Will Liverpool retain their star defender?
Real Madrid's interest in Konate is an “open secret,” and they're willing to sign him on a free transfer next summer...
Ibrahima Konate's contract talks with Liverpool have reached a critical point, with Real Madrid aggressively pursuing him for a free transfer in 2026. The Spanish giants are planning a defensive overhaul, and Konate is a top target, especially after investing €120 million in their defense this summer. Liverpool, however, is determined to retain the 26-year-old defender and has submitted a fresh contract proposal, their fourth attempt, in hopes of securing his long-term future.
Konate has reportedly decided to leave Liverpool and join Real Madrid when his contract expires next summer. He has already turned down a “huge bid” from the Saudi Pro League, opting for a long-term contract with Real Madrid instead. This decision puts Liverpool in a difficult position, and they may consider selling him in January to avoid losing him for free.
Liverpool is steeling themselves for the potential loss of Konate and is exploring options to minimize the impact. They might look to sign a replacement, with Marc Guehi being a potential target. The club's sporting director, Richard Hughes, has held talks with Konate's representatives, but it remains uncertain whether he'll sign a new deal. If not, Liverpool may be forced to sell Konate in January or lose him for free in 2026.
Real Madrid's interest in Konate is an “open secret,” and they're willing to sign him on a free transfer next summer. The club's chief scout, Jose Angel Sanchez, is reportedly preparing to travel to England to discuss a potential deal. Other clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, are also interested in Konate, but Real Madrid seems to be the frontrunner.
Real Madrid is reportedly encouraging Ibrahima Konate to wait out his contract at Liverpool, with the intention of signing him for free at the end of the 2025-26 season. This strategy mirrors their successful recruitment of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Madrid after his contract with Liverpool expired. Madrid's interest in Konate is no secret, with France teammate Kylian Mbappe allegedly calling Konate “every two hours” to entice him to the Bernabeu.
Liverpool, however, is determined not to let Konate go without a fight. The club has set a deadline to finalize a new contract with Konate by the end of the summer transfer window, indicating their willingness to negotiate. If talks break down, Liverpool might consider selling Konate in January for around £43.4 million rather than losing him for free next summer. Other interested clubs include Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Hilal.
Konate's future remains uncertain, with Liverpool's Arne Slot keen to keep the defender. Despite Slot's desire, Liverpool's hierarchy is weighing the financial risks of losing Konate for nothing next summer against the potential fee they could secure in January. Konate has reportedly rejected Liverpool's contract renewal offers, fueling speculation about his departure.
Real Madrid remains confident in their pursuit of Ibrahima Konate, viewing him as a top target to strengthen their defense. Insiders believe Konate, entering his prime at 26, would be an excellent addition without requiring a transfer fee. Although the financial package would be substantial, it's not expected to match the deal offered to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Despite reports suggesting a deal is nearing completion, Liverpool sources insist that no agreement has been reached. They emphasize that Konate hasn't committed to joining Madrid or any other club. The Reds are keen to avoid losing Konate on a free transfer in 2026 and might consider selling him in January to mitigate losses.
Konate's contract talks with Liverpool have stalled, with the defender reportedly set to leave Anfield on a free transfer in 2026. Real Madrid has reportedly offered him a contract until 2031, and France teammate Kylian Mbappé has been encouraging him to join the Spanish giants. Liverpool could face challenges in retaining Konate, who has already rejected a substantial offer from a Saudi club.
The chances of Ibrahima Konate extending his contract with Liverpool appear to be dwindling as time passes. Sources close to the situation suggest that while negotiations are still ongoing, the likelihood of a breakthrough is decreasing with each passing month. This situation bears an uncanny resemblance to the Trent Alexander-Arnold contract saga, which ultimately resulted in the player's departure to Real Madrid. Liverpool's regret over allowing Alexander-Arnold's contract to run down has left a sour taste, and the club is keen to avoid repeating the same mistake with Konate.
Frustration is growing within the Liverpool camp, with concerns that Konate might follow Alexander-Arnold's footsteps and leave the club on a free transfer in 2026. The club's sporting director, Richard Hughes, has reportedly held talks with Konate's representatives, but a resolution remains elusive. With Konate's contract set to expire in June 2026, Liverpool is racing against time to secure a new deal or risk losing him for nothing. The club might consider selling Konate in January for around £43.4 million rather than losing him for free next summer.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid's interest in Konate remains unwavering, with the Spanish giants reportedly planning a defensive overhaul. They've already invested €120 million in their defense this summer, and Konate is high on their wishlist. Madrid's strategy involves encouraging Konate to wait out his contract at Liverpool and join them for free in 2026, a tactic they successfully employed with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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