Ibrahima Konate has reportedly told Real Madrid of his transfer wish to join the Spanish giants on a free transfer as Liverpool face a new Trent Alexander-Arnold situation
12:18, 08 Jul 2025
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate has 'informed' Real Madrid he wants to join them(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate has reportedly made it clear that he wants to join Real Madrid when his contract with Liverpool runs out next year.
Following in the footsteps of his ex-teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Los Blancos after he ran his own Liverpool deal down. Konate is reportedly eying a similar move to make his dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid, no strangers to snapping up talent without a transfer fee, have previously brought in big names like Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger as free agents. And Sky Sports Switzerland suggests Konate wishes to tread a similar path, as recent attempts to extend his Anfield stay have reportedly stalled.
Speculation last month indicated that Konate wasn't happy with Liverpool's latest pay proposal, seeking a more substantial basic salary over a bonus-laden structure based on performance.
After the season's final match, Konate took to addressing the rumours head-on: "You know, I just want to say one thing: Everything you saw on social media is completely fake," he declared.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks on for Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold is looking to win his first major trophy with Real Madrid at the Club World Cup(Image: Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Article continues below
"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.
"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.
Article continues below
"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."