Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future: Real Madrid U-turn and 'massive' offer

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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsTransfer NewsIbrahima KonatéIbrahima Konate is facing an uncertain future at Liverpool, with his contract expiring at the club this summer, with links continuing to circle over a possible move elsewhere.Ibrahima Konate faces an uncertain future at Liverpool as his contract continues to run down into the final few months(Image: (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images))With the summer transfer window just a few months away, Liverpool remains in an uncomfortable position over the future of Ibrahima Konate, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.The center-back has been key for the Reds in the past few campaigns, and while there has been poor form at times this season, he has recently returned to something more akin to his old self with some solid displays. With that has come reduced discussion surrounding Konate's choice to either extend his deal at Anfield or move on to pastures new, but it still lurks background.There is less pressure on Liverpool to seal a deal, with the agreement to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes when the transfer market opens once again.

However, that doesn't mean their current center-back star isn't still a topic of discussion within the club, as well as elsewhere.READ MORE: Ilkay Gundogan picks between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp as best managerREAD MORE: Tottenham could make major change just days before crunch Liverpool gameSo, with that said, here's a look at the latest on Konate's future, including an update on a possible contract offer and interest from Real Madrid.Liverpool contract offer for Ibrahima KonateLiverpool has made its biggest offer so far in negotiations with Konate over a possible extension to his stay at Anfield. However, it's claimed that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan are in the race to tempt the 26-year-old to leave England for a new adventure.It remains to be seen whether he will sign a new deal with Liverpool, though January marked the point at which he can negotiate and sign a pre-contract with clubs outside of the Premier League.Ibrahima Konate continues to be linked with an exit from Liverpool this summer(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))Real Madrid U-turnReal Madrid was heavily linked as one of the teams tracking Konate at the start of the season, though reports that followed suggested that interest had cooled.

Since then, however, it seems as though there has been a U-turn from those at the Spanish club ahead of a busy summer.A report from BILD claims that Konate is now Real Madrid's No.1 target at center-back. That was previously claimed to be Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck, but he has fallen down the pecking order due to his contract with the Bundesliga club being a year longer and likely to cost a fee, while Konate is a free agent.The report also claims that the defender has "mentally closed the book" on his time with Liverpool, suggesting that he is open to an exit.