Liverpool star in advanced talks to join Real Madrid
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Image Credits: Imago ImagesReal Madrid were among the most active clubs in the summer transfer window as they aim to reclaim both LaLiga and the Champions League this season.
The Spanish giants strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Franco Mastantuono.
However, Madrid’s hunt for a new centre-back has not ended with Huijsen’s signing.
The club remain desperate to secure a long-term partner for the Spaniard at the heart of their defence.
Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate has emerged as a leading target, particularly given his contractual situation.
The French defender is out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season and has been consistently linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Liverpool, though, are keen to tie him down to a new deal.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Konate recently joked that his France teammate Kylian Mbappe “calls him every two hours” about a potential move to Real Madrid.
While on international duty, the centre-back was asked in an interview with Telefoot whether Mbappe was putting pressure on him to join the Spanish champions.
“He’s calling me every two hours,” Konate said.
The 26-year-old has started all three of Liverpool’s Premier League matches this season, with the champions maintaining a perfect record so far.
Konate has already addressed his future – speaking earlier this summer, he said: “You know, I just want to say one thing: Everything you saw on social media is completely fake.
“I didn’t even ask for something from the club?
They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
“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 was like: ‘Ah, they have more information than me!?’
“Because it was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment.
“I knew at one moment people would think I didn’t want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it.
“We will see what will happen.”
According to Marca’s Jose Felix Diaz, a move for Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid is now very advanced.
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