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Real Madrid is actively pursuing a transfer for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate amid stalled contract renewal talks between the French center-back and the Premier League club. Konate, 26, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 and has made 132 appearances, has been a key part of Liverpool's defense alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.
With Konate's contract set to expire at the end of the upcoming 2025/26 season, Real Madrid, who recently secured Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, are eager to sign him. Rather than waiting to acquire Konate on a free transfer next year, Real wants to accelerate the move during the current summer transfer window to address uncertainty in their defense.
To convince Liverpool to sell Konate this summer, Real Madrid are reportedly proposing a swap deal that includes offering forward Brahim Diaz plus €10 million (£8.7m). Diaz is viewed as a "perfect" player for Liverpool's system, having been eyed by Liverpool earlier this year as an ideal target. The €10 million cash component seeks to further sweeten the deal as Liverpool are keen to avoid losing Konate without compensation, learning from the earlier Alexander-Arnold situation.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are linked with potential replacements, including Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who is regarded as an excellent successor, with other prospects like Jorrel Hato and Levi Colwill also under consideration. On another front, Liverpool are reportedly close to a significant signing, striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, in a deal possibly worth up to €95 million.
This transfer pursuit marks another example of Real Madrid's aggressive summer strategy to bolster their squad by targeting Liverpool players and actively seeking creative deals involving player swaps and cash to secure key talents.
PP
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