How Real Madrid feel about Ibrahima Konate after William Saliba snub
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Image Credits: Imago ImagesReal Madrid have suffered a major setback in their summer transfer plans after Arsenal star William Saliba agreed to a new five-year contract extension, effectively ending Los Blancos’ pursuit of their top defensive target.
The Spanish giants had identified Saliba as their priority centre-back signing for next summer, viewing the 24-year-old Frenchman as the perfect long-term replacement for the aging defensive duo of David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger.
However, Arsenal moved swiftly to secure their defensive cornerstone, tying Saliba to the Emirates until 2030.
With Saliba now off the market, Real Madrid’s attention has natrually focused even more on Ibrahima Konate, whose contract situation presents another opportunity.
The 26-year-old French defender is in the final year of his Liverpool deal and has reportedly rejected multiple extension offers from the Merseyside club.
Real Madrid’s interest in Konate “is an open secret”, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, with the defender having reportedly rejected three separate contract extension offers from Liverpool.
Madrid view Konate as an ideal long-term replacement for veterans David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger and have earmarked him as one of their first targets for 2026 – though they “don’t want to upset Liverpool”.
Should Konate remain steadfast, he could sign a free transfer pre-contract next January, leaving Liverpool with the unenviable choice of cashing in next winter or losing him for nothing in the summer.
But it seems that it’s not that straightforward.
ESPN are reporting that there is some internal debate about whether to proceed for Konate:
“However, with the Liverpool centre-back not everything is so simple?
Sources tell ESPN that, just as Saliba seemed fully prepared to make the leap to Madrid, there is an open debate about Konaté at the club.”
“Some voices in the Bernabéu offices consider that at 26 years of age he is a sensational market opportunity, because he would arrive free of contract and already with experience in the Premier League.”
“However, sources admit to ESPN that there are other voices within the Merengue club who are not unanimous about his signing as they were with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who arrived in a similar situation.”
Real Madrid’s defensive shopping list extends beyond Konate, with several other names being considered for their summer overhaul.
Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, and RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba are believed to be on the Spanish sides’ shortlist.
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