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Real Madrid appear to be keeping their options open for Ibrahima Konate as the French centre-half enters the final year of his Liverpool contract, a scenario that uncannily echoes the Trent Alexander-Arnold standoff of last season.

Despite months of negotiations, talks over an extension have stalled, leaving both player and club in limbo and prompting Madrid to circle.

The 26-year-old Frenchman is now entering the final year of his contract and is widely believed to be attracting interest from Real Madrid.

Konate’s current deal with Liverpool, signed in 2021, reportedly pays him around £70,000 per week.

However, the defender is understood to be pushing for a substantially higher salary, aiming for a new contract worth approximately £200,000 per week.

There has been suggestions that offers from the Merseyside side club have been heavily weighted towards performance-related bonuses and incentives, whereas Konate’s representatives want a higher basic salary.

Although there have been occasional concerns about his fitness in previous seasons, the French centre-back demonstrated impressive durability under manager Arne Slot last term, playing in 92.5% of all available minutes for Liverpool during the 2024/25 campaign.

Now Diario AS have reported some more news that Liverpool fans don’t want to hear.

In a subtle move, Los Blancos have registered new signing Franco Mastantuono with Castilla (reserve team), effectively freeing up space in the first-team squad should they pursue Konate.

With Huijsen, Militao, Alaba, Asencio, and Rüdiger all on the books, Madrid have five senior centre-backs.

However, there are doubts over Alaba’s fitness as well as Rudiger’s standing in the squad after a poor Club World Cup.

Both veterans see their contracts expire at the end of the season.

The report adds that the acquisition of Giovanni Leoni and the pursuit of Marc Guehi is not just for depth; it’s a contingency plan for if Konate decides to leave.

DaveOCKOP.com reported last week that Liverpool wants the Frenchman to sign a new deal before the window closes on September 1.

The Merseyside outfit could be willing to entertain offers in excess of £35 million rather than risk losing him for nothing next year.

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