Report: Real Madrid are now ‘confident’ about signing £40m player from Liverpool
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Liverpool could have another star taken from the club by Real Madrid next summer as a transfer update is issued.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure from the Merseyside club was a brutal blow, with fans criticising the way both parties handled the situation.
Fortunately, the Reds did get a £10 million transfer fee out of the star despite his attempts to leave for free when his contract ran out in the summer.
With that drama from the summer out of the way, Arne Slot’s side have focused on strengthening the position, with Jeremie Frimpong brought in as competition for Conor Bradley.
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Although he was not able to get his final defensive signing, Marc Guehi, over the line, Slot will be pleased with the signing of 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni as an exciting investment for the future of the defence.
There was a worry that Ibrahima Konate would not be fit following his trouble with cramp at the end of the Arsenal win, but he started for France in their World Cup qualifiers, which is a positive sign that he is at full fitness.
However, it may be his last season at the club, with his contract set to expire next year.
The £40 million star has attracted interest from the Spanish giants, who are not shy with their transfer business.
Lewis Steele has reported that Konate has not communicated to the club that he wants to leave, and has yet to make up his mind on a move to Madrid.
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While this may be good news for fans who are hoping that Michael Edwards can secure another contract extension for one of the world’s best centre-backs, noise out of Los Blancos is a worry.
In the report, Steele claimed that they are confident they will be able to bring the Frenchman in next summer, even though the star is still mulling over the decision.
After the situation with Alexander-Arnold, the club will not want a repeat of the saga with another one of their coveted players, considering the message it will send to anyone else thinking of a move abroad.
There are positive signs that Liverpool could keep the No.
5 if reports of a different transfer target for the Galacticos are to be believed.
Current Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Mickey van de Ven, according to Fichajes in Spain, is wanted by Real, even with their keen interest in Liverpool’s man.
The 24-year-old is a solid player for Tottenham, but it is hard to judge his quality given last season’s 17th-place finish from the London-based club.
However, he will have a renewed chance under Thomas Frank to demonstrate to clubs that he is the right defensive option for them.
It would be for a much higher asking price than that expected of Konate, as Spurs will not sell him for less than £70 million.
Edwards will need to act fast to secure the extension, but this targeting of van de Ven by Madrid could be the starting point he needs to get Konate around the table to secure his future with the club.