Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has just one year left on his contract and the 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate reportedly wants to join Real Madrid(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate has reportedly informed Real Madrid that he wants to join them on a free transfer when his Liverpool contract expires next summer. Real Madrid did sign Konate's former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold after he ran down his contract, although they did pay Liverpool £10million to release him early so he could play at the Club World Cup.
The Spanish giants do have a history of signing players in similar situations, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger all making the move to the Bernabeu as free agents in recent years.
And it appears as though Konate could follow suit, with Sky Sports Switzerland reporting that the defender has 'made it clear' that he wants to sign for Real Madrid. The report also notes that recent talks with Liverpool over a contract extension have 'not led to any progress'.
The news comes after reports emerged last month claiming that Konate is disappointed with Liverpool's latest offer. It is claimed that the 26-year-old wants a higher basic wage than the Reds were offering, which was 'heavily based on meeting certain performance targets'.
Konate did address the speculation after Liverpool's final Premier League game last season, admitting he is not sure what the future will hold. "You know, I just want to say one thing: Everything you saw on social media is completely fake," he said.
"I didn't even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it. The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end... I want this, all of it is completely fake.
"And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: 'Ah, they have more information than me!?' Because it was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment.
"I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen. First thing, I am very happy because we have won the Premier League trophy and we lifted it today.
Ibrahima Konate
Konate has just a year left on his contract(Image: Getty Images)
"We have to enjoy it, have a rest and hopefully next season will be better than this. I didn't expect the [contract] question this way! (laughs) But you are smart, you're smart. To be fair, to win a trophy, even when I won my first trophy with Liverpool, the FA Cup, was just amazing.
"And today, to win the Premier League, I know I have a lot of objectives with this club: to become a leader, to win everything. I am very happy here to be fair, you know. But I know where you want to go with this question and this is another conversation with the club and my agent, we will see what will happen in the next few weeks or I don't know when but we will see, let me say that.
"Progressing? Not really but my agent met the club last week but I don't know what will happen. I cannot say what my agent said to me but yeah, we will see what will happen."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.