Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, with a move to Real Madrid looming closer.

The 26-year-old right-back’s contract comes to an end this summer with Alexander-Arnold expected to sign for Madrid as the defender looks set to become the latest superstar player to join Los Blancos as a free agent.

Having already signed Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger on similar deals, Madrid are becoming the masters of securing some of the best players in the world without having to pay a transfer fee in a strategy that has borne fruit in the last three seasons.

And Madrid could now move for another Liverpool player with a similar tactic in 2026 if a current contract saga refuses to be resolved.

Trent Alexander-Arnold announces he IS quitting Liverpool for a free transfer to Real Madrid - where he joins best friend Jude Bellingham - and now risks toxic Anfield farewell	Report: Liverpool now preparing bid to sign 21-goal striker, but Arsenal also want him	Trent Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool exit in emotional statement ahead of Real Madrid free transfer

READ MORE: Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won’t be allowed to wear number 66 at Real Madrid ahead of Liverpool exit

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According to Marca, Madrid are earmarking Ibrahima Konate as a potential free signing in 2026, with the Liverpool defender’s deal expiring next year at Anfield, with the centre-back yet to reach a new agreement with the Reds.

Contract talks between Liverpool and Konate have not been good in recent weeks, with the French international potentially set to suffer the same fate as Alexander-Arnold, especially with Madrid’s interest growing in the defender.

Konate is on Madrid’s radar as the reigning European champions look to bring in a new world-class centre-back to complement Rudiger, with the Liverpool number 5 regarded as a realistic option for the Spanish giants.

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Indeed, Liverpool’s failure to commit Alexander-Arnold to a new deal has led to the defender joining Madrid, and history could repeat itself next year if the Anfield side are not quick to secure Konate’s future on Merseyside.

Liverpool left it late this year to announce new contracts for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with the pair only putting pen to paper on fresh terms in the final two months of the current Premier League season.

And heading into the summer, Liverpool simply can’t afford to waste time like they did with Salah and Van Dijk when it comes to Konate’s new contract, with the French international too good to be allowed to leave for nothing next year.

Having already lost Alexander-Arnold to incompetence, Liverpool will be reckless to repeat this mistake again, and work needs to be done this summer to ensure Konate’s future remains with the Reds despite interest from Madrid.