Real Madrid Plot Free Transfer for Liverpool’s Konaté 🚨
Liverpool may be in the middle of a long-term rebuild under Arne Slot, but fresh reports from Spain have thrown Ibrahima Konaté’s future into doubt.
According to Lewis Steele (Mail Sport), Real Madrid are growing confident of landing the French centre-back on a free transfer in 2026 — despite his current Anfield deal running until then.
Madrid’s Masterplan
Spanish outlets believe Madrid see Konaté’s situation as eerily similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s discounted move to the Bernabéu. Confidential discussions have already been held inside the club, and they’ll be free to open official talks with the 26-year-old from January 1.
Konaté’s Commitment
For now, Konaté himself has shown no desire to leave. He expressed his ambitions clearly at the end of last season:
“Winning a trophy was incredible. To lift the Premier League, I know I still have many goals with this club: to be a leader, to win everything. I am very happy here.”
He even poked fun at the Madrid links, joking on French TV that Kylian Mbappé “calls me every two hours” about joining him in Spain.
Liverpool’s Stance
Negotiations over a contract extension have been ongoing since last November, though no agreement has yet been reached. Journalist Paul Joyce has stressed Liverpool’s refusal to “beg” any player to stay, putting the onus on their hierarchy to finalise terms before Madrid can pounce.
Losing Konaté for nothing would be a huge setback, especially with Slot’s defensive foundations still being built. The coming months could determine whether Liverpool’s No.5 spends his prime years at Anfield — or swaps Merseyside.
