Liverpool centre-back Konate has turned down a lucrative approach from the Saudi Pro League, choosing to stay in Europe, where the spotlight burns brighter and the football actually matters (sorry, Al-Nassr). With his contract winding down and negotiations at a deadlock, the Frenchman might just be making eyes at Real Madrid—cue the dramatic music.
And why not? The man’s 26, approaching peak center-back prime, and already a Champions League finalist. But instead of cashing in on oil money and camel races, Konate’s holding firm, committed to fighting it out on European soil. Loyalty? Ambition? Or just waiting for Florentino Pérez to slide into his DMs?
Konaté contract chaos: Liverpool’s ticking time bomb
Jurgen Klopp might be gone, but Liverpool’s drama remains Oscar-worthy. Konate’s current deal ends next year, and negotiations have stalled like a mid-table bus-parking team at Anfield. With no extension in sight, Konate will be free to chat with Real Madrid from January 1. And you just know Madrid loves a good freebie—especially one that comes with a Champions League-ready résumé.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have sold Jarell Quansah and are now running dangerously low at center back. Joe Gomez is healthy (for now), Wataru Endo is being shoehorned into everything, and Andy Robertson’s playing center-back like it’s a bizarre fever dream.
Real Madrid, Saudi cash, and the Konaté conundrum
Real Madrid—already signing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Arne Slot’s side—are lurking. If Konate so much as coughs in Spanish, you can expect Fabrizio Romano to tweet, “Here we go.” Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s interest has been brushed off like a bad Tinder match. If they wanted hope, they should’ve texted Harry Maguire.
Liverpool’s Plan B: New Blood or New Problems?
With Quansah off to Bayer Leverkusen and Luis Díaz attracting Bayern bids, Liverpool’s summer is less “rebuild” and more “watch transfer sagas.” The club is chasing Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, but the center-back slot looks thin enough to give Klopp heartburn… if he were still around.
Final whistle
Konate may be staying in Europe, but Liverpool fans shouldn’t breathe easy just yet. This could be the calm before a Real Madrid storm.
A trusted source on WalkOn.com
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