Liverpool have made their position clear on Ibrahima Konate after Real Madrid’s summer transfer plans for the defender came to light.

Real Madrid have reportedly added Konate to their shortlist as they look to strengthen their backline ahead of the new season.

The 26-year-old Frenchman, who arrived at Anfield from RB Leipzig in 2021 for around £36 million, has grown into a dependable option despite struggling with injuries at times.

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He has made over 132 appearances for the Reds so far, featuring in major fixtures including the painful Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in 2022.

With only one year left on his current contract, Liverpool know they could face interest from clubs trying to secure a bargain.

The Reds, however, are not expected to let Konate leave easily and are prepared to stand firm if any approach arrives in the coming weeks.

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Real Madrid had originally planned to wait until next year to sign Konate on a free transfer once his current deal runs out.

But fresh reports suggest they could now move earlier than expected and test Liverpool’s stance this summer.

According to Diario AS, the Reds have put a price tag of around £43.5 million on the Frenchman for any club looking to strike a deal now.

However, Madrid are only willing to pay between €20 million and €25 million — far below what Liverpool want — and hope the contract situation could force the club’s hand.

The Spanish giants see Konate as a player who could add depth and competition to their defensive options next season.

If they can’t reach an agreement, Madrid plans to stick to their original strategy and come back for Konate as a free agent next year.

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