and#8216;Mbappe calls me every two hoursand#8217; and#8211; Liverpool star opens up on Real Madrid transfer interest
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Liverpool contract rebel Ibrahima Konate has joked that Kylian Mbappe calls him every two hours over a move to Real Madrid.
The defender has entered the final year of his deal at Anfield and can sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs in January.
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Konate is close friends with France teammate MbappeCredit: Getty
The 26-year-old has established himself as Virgil van Dijk's chief centre-back partner since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021.
However, Konate is into the final 12 months of the five-year deal he signed with the Reds and has attracted interest from elsewhere.
Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and clubs in Saudi Arabia have all been touted as potential suitors for the Frenchman.
Konate attempted to keep his situation tight-lipped on international duty, but couldn't resist joking once the topic of his future arose.
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During a yes/no game on French TV, Téléfoot, presenter Séverine Parlakou asked: "The Spanish press is sending you to Real Madrid next season.
Kylian Mbappé is putting a bit of pressure on you to come?"
"He calls me every two hours!", the Liverpool star laughed in response, having also denied that he has already learnt Spanish.
For Arne Slot, though, Konate's future is no laughing matter, having already lost one key defender to the Spanish giants this summer.
Liverpool couldn't keep hold of vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold after he similarly rejected new deals to head to Madrid..
talkSPORT understands the Reds did bank £10million despite the right-back departing upon the expiration of his contract.
Konate, meanwhile, who has featured 136 times in all competitions since joining in 2021, could now follow in his footsteps next season.
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Konate also risked upsetting Liverpool fans by choosing Dembele over Salah for the Ballon d'OrCredit: Getty
Ibrahima Konate yes/no transcript
Michael Olise is the worthy successor of Antoine Griezmann for France?
No.
The Spanish press is sending you to Real Madrid next season.
He calls me every two hours.
On Liverpool facing Marseille in the Champions League at the Velodrome.
Yes.
Will Konate win the Ballon d'Or one day?
He speaks Spanish very well
He is a Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and two-time Carabao Cup winner with the Merseyside outfit.
Liverpool have already hinted at their succession plans for Konate, having targeted central defenders heavily this summer.
“If Liverpool are in for Marc Guehi, that signals to me that Konate is more on the side of leaving,” Jermaine Pennant told talkSPORT.
“I’m thinking, is this a situation like Real Madrid and Trent Alexander-Arnold, where Liverpool are saying to Guehi, ‘Just see your contract out and we will look after you’?
“Because Konate is in the same situation, he’s in the last year of his contract and they haven't agreed a deal.
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Mbappe wants another Liverpool man to be his new Real Madrid teammateCredit: Getty
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Liverpool are set to move ahead with their pursuit of Guehi in January or at the end of the season - but they will have competitionCredit: Getty
“So Liverpool might be saying to him, ‘Look, Konate's going to go at the end of this season, Marc Guehi, you see out your contract and come, join us for on a free and we’re prepared to offer you this’.”
Ultimately, the Premier League champions' move for Crystal Palace captain Guehi fell through in a huge twist on deadline day.
A deal sheet for a £35m switch to Liverpool had even been submitted, yet the Eagles' lack of replacement saw the club pull the plug.
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Leoni has just received his first senior Italy call-up
Slot's men retain an interest in signing Guehi at a later date, while they did complete a £26m transfer for Giovanni Leoni.
The 18-year-old, who has already been named the heir to the Van Dijk throne, will take this season to bed in with a greater role next year.
Discussing Leoni's potential pathway at Anfield, Troy Deeney told talkSPORT: "He'll play enough games this year to adapt and get used to living in Liverpool and the pressures because it is a different pressure, right?
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"But I think next year, with [Ibrahima] Konate going, it's a seamless [transition]…I can see Liverpool playing three at the back."