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Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Ibrahima Konate has been named Real Madrid's 'favourite' free agent target as the Spanish giants up transfer plans for the summer of 2026.

Liverpool face the uncertainty of a defender heading into the final year of his contract, under the same threat they faced when losing Trent Alexander-Arnold this year.

The 26-year-old has been a mainstay of this Liverpool side over the past four years under Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot, though is yet to commit his future to the Reds beyond next summer.



This is even after Konate himself confirmed back in January that he had been offered terms for a renewal but was not close to signing on the dotted line.

Throughout that, champions of Europe Paris Saint-Germain - his hometown club - and Real Madrid have been rumoured to be attentive, now Marca have made a worrying advance on the latter's stance.

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They provide insight into Real's long-term transfer strategy in view of enticing players as Alexander-Arnold was from Liverpool at the end of the latest season, Kylian Mbappe was from Paris Saint-Germain before him and Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea before him.

The Spanish publication say they are 'in a position to confirm that the tactics are already in place for the incorporation of a player free of commitment and who will withstand his club's attacks ahead of the 26/27 season'.

With that, Konate is named the 'favourite' amongst players who will become free agents in 12 months' time as Xabi Alonso's defence requires further work completed.

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Younger talents Cristhian Mosquera, another central defender from Valencia, and Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly are others mentioned who Real will look to take for free.

More recently hinting in a social media post that he will be a Liverpool player next season, Konate had spoken after the final match of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace about 'completely fake' whispers of his contract renewal talks with Liverpool.

"You know, I just want to say one thing: Everything you saw on social media is completely fake," Konate said.

They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.

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"The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end...I want this, all of it is completely fake.

And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal.

I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it.
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