Report: What Real Madrid now think about 'outstanding' Liverpool star as future remains up in the air
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Ibrahima Konate is currently due to become a free agent this summer, and Real Madrid have been linked to the Liverpool centre-back for a while.With his contract due to expire at the end of June 2026, Konate remains in talks with the Reds about fresh terms, though a deal doesn’t appear that close at this stage.From January 1, the Frenchman has been able to agree a pre-contract with teams outside of England, and Real Madrid have been linked. Liverpool have to lose one of the two games vs Wolves, which do you pick?
Out of the cup or top four hopes take a hit? Photo Credit: Getty Images/James Gill/Danehouse/Julian Finney Real Madrid not impressed with Ibrahima KonateLos Blancos appear to be keen on strengthening their backline this summer and have been mooted to sign Liverpool target Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund.However, a report from Spanish outlet AS this week suggests their interest in the Liverpool stopper has faded.Going over all the possible centre-back options Real Madrid have had on their shortlist, they mention that while his contract is up soon, Konate ‘hasn’t impressed’.This could be good news for Liverpool, but the report does add that the aforementioned Schlotterbeck is creating ‘the most buzz’ around the Spanish capital.
Konate earns £70,000-a-week, Liverpool surely need to make a big offer for him to stay?! Credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images Ibrahima Konate has improved in his last five Premier League games for LiverpoolIn turn, Liverpool might be able to keep Konate, as there are no other sides heavily linked with him right now, but it could come at the cost of them having to pass up on the German.This probably wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, however, especially if the Frenchman keeps up his current form.Virgil van Dijk has called Konate ‘outstanding’ when discussing his future and expressed his desire to see his long-time centre-back partner remain at Anfield.They both had rocky starts to the season, but the 26-year-old, in particular, has improved a great deal in recent weeks.OpponentTacklesInterceptionsClearancesBlocksWest Ham3141Nottingham Forest2361Sunderland2141Manchester City4320Newcastle United21100Burnley1150Arsenal0172Fulham0051Leeds United1170Wolves0031There’s been a clear uptick in displays from the stopper in his last five Premier League matches, and Konate penning fresh terms could be just as good, perhaps even better, than Liverpool signing a new defender later this year.Then, come the summer, Liverpool will have Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni available for selection, making a position that has previously looked seriously short of depth one of the strongest in the full XI.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox