Real Madrid is open to accelerating its pursuit of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, ahead of the expiration of his Reds contract in 12 months' time.

Madrid has earmarked Konate as a possible free signing next summer, continuing its trend of signing high-profile players at the end of their deals with their previous clubs.

It is the same approach the Spanish club took with Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, as well as Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba in previous years.

Ibrahima Konate 'disappointed' with Liverpool contract offer as free transfer risk looms	Trent Alexander-Arnold sends message to Ibrahima Konate as Liverpool could face transfer repeat	Liverpool transfers LIVE: Milos Kerkez medical, Ibrahima Konate contract offer, Marc Guehi interest

Konate has not signed a contract extension with Liverpool since joining the club in 2021, and as things stand he will be able to leave the Reds on a free transfer in a year's time.

Read More.

The French center-back is currently understood to earn just over $100,000 a week.

But it has been reported that he wants around $270,000 per week in order to sign a contract extension at Anfield.

Paris Saint-Germain, the club Konate supported growing up, is also keeping tabs on the 26-year-old's situation, but it is claimed that Madrid could look to get the deal done this summer.

Madrid is said by Caught Offside to be prepared to pay a maximum of $34 million to sign Konate this summer, but there is no suggestion that Liverpool would be willing to entertain that offer.

The Reds are facing an uncertain future in the center of defense, with Jarell Quansah set to join Bayer Leverkusen, Joe Gomez coming off the back of hamstring surgery, and Virgil van Dijk turning 34 next month.



Jarell Quansah could be replaced in Liverpool's squad by Marc Guehi

Liverpool is interested in signing Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi as a replacement for Quansah, and at 24 years old, Guehi would provide some long-term stability in that area of the field.

Like Konate, Guehi is due to become a free agent next year, so even if he doesn't leave Palace this summer, he would almost certainly depart Selhurst Park for nothing in 2026.

As for Quansah, he endured a regressive 2024-25 campaign, starting just four times in the Premier League — two of which came after the title was wrapped up.

The young center-back had started in 10 of Liverpool's final 15 league games during the previous season under Jurgen Klopp, but Arne Slot quickly decided that Ibrahima Konate would be Virgil van Dijk's partner this term

Liverpool has had plenty of dealings with Leverkusen in recent weeks, signing Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, and now another significant transfer is set to take place between the two clubs.