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Antonio Rudiger has been warned about Ibrahima Konate(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been backed to join Real Madrid and take Antonio Rudiger's place at centre-back.

Konate's representatives have been pushing for a higher basic wage and there are fears that he could choose to run down his current deal and leave on a free transfer in June 2026, having rejected a big-money move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

His uncertain future has prompted speculation of a move to Madrid and Real are no strangers to signing players at the end of their contracts - especially from Liverpool.



The Spanish giants convinced Trent Alexander-Arnold to reject a new deal with his boyhood club this year and have previously signed stars like David Alaba, Kylian Mbappe and Rudiger on free transfers.

And it's Rudiger who'd better watch out if Konate joins that list, according to his former youth coach at French club Sochaux.

Eric Hely believes that the 26-year-old is better than Rudiger and would slot into Xabi Alonso's side.

"I'd say better than Rudiger, who is undoubtedly an athlete, but I think Ibrahima is technically stronger," Hely told Marca.

He wanted to succeed and worked tirelessly, even on his own.

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Eric Hely coached Ibrahima Konate as a youngster(Image: Dave Winter / Icon Sport)

"He'll listen and learn, and then he'll establish himself in the group with his personality.
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