Real Madrid have a desire to sign Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer, when his contract expires in 2026. Over the past few days, the Spanish media have discussed the possibility of the centre-back joining Los Blancos this summer.
Three days ago, AS reported the 26-year-old has his heart set on joining the La Liga club. They also reported the Reds are working to offload him in this window and have set a €50m price tag.
At the weekend, we covered claims from Spain which stated the defender wants Liverpool to negotiate with Real Madrid in this window.
Monday’s edition of AS reports Liverpool are acting tough with the former RB Leipzig man and explains the reasoning.
Arne Slot’s side are asking for €50m and are refusing to lower the price, while Real Madrid aren’t willing to offer more than €20-25m, if they are to sign a centre-back this summer.
The Premier League winners are aware of the risk of losing the France international as a free agent next summer.
AS say ‘all signs point to him being a lost cause’ and despite this, Liverpool ‘remain rigid’ and are willing to tighten the rope and take a risk.
Last summer, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all entered their final year of contract at Anfield. Liverpool lost the right-back to Real Madrid, while Salah and Van Dijk extended their contracts in April.
AS states the English champions want to repeat what they did with Salah and Van Dijk with Konaté. His desire is to join Real Madrid, but Liverpool will try to convince him to change his mind and commit his long-term future.
Slot currently has Van Dijk, Konaté and Joe Gomez as the three recognised centre-backs at his disposal. Therefore, Liverpool also have a sporting reason not to sell the Frenchman this summer.