Why Real Madrid believe they WILL now sign Ibrahima Konate, the Premier League star's son on Reds radar and how to beat the travel chaos for Marseille: Liverpool Confidential
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The article discusses the ongoing contract situation and transfer prospects of Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool's centre-back, amid strong interest from Real Madrid. Konate's contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the 2025-2026 season, and he has already rejected multiple renewal offers from Liverpool, making his potential move to Real Madrid in 2026 an "open secret" in football circles.
Despite Liverpool’s efforts to extend his contract, negotiations have stalled for several months, and Fabrizio Romano, a reputable transfer journalist, confirmed there is no current agreement between the player and Liverpool. Real Madrid have identified Konate as one of their prime targets for future signings, aiming to bring him in on a free transfer if he does not renew with Liverpool. This interest is part of Real Madrid's ongoing strategy to recruit top Premier League talents, as they previously secured Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold under similar circumstances.
Liverpool are aware that losing Konate would be significant, as he is a vital part of their defensive setup. Consequently, they have been actively strengthening the defence by pursuing other players such as Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. Liverpool’s management sees the potential departure as almost inevitable but continue to prepare for multiple defensive options to mitigate this risk.
The article also highlights that this contract saga, similar to those involving Liverpool stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, could become a distraction for the club. Furthermore, Real Madrid are reportedly also interested in Arsenal’s William Saliba as a central defensive target, indicating their broader plans to bolster their defense in the coming years.
PP