Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is out of contract at Anfield next summer and Real Madrid are hoping to secure the France international's signature on a free transfer
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool exit has been describe as a 'sure thing'(Image: Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images))
Real Madrid have confidence they will sign Ibrahima Konate for free at the end of the season, according to reports in Spain. The La Liga giants have been persistently linked with the French defender who is in the final year of his contract.
Konate, 26, signed for Liverpool for £36million in 2021 and has emerged as a key partner of Virgil van Dijk in that time as the Reds claimed the Premier League title last season. Los Blancos have identified the upcoming months as decisive in Konate choosing his next steps and are maintaining contact with the player's entourage, per Marca.
The outlet claims that Konate has already knocked Liverpool's offers of an extension back three times and have greater confidence in the France international following in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold than Alphonso Davies, who after engaging with the Spanish side decided to extend his stay with Bayern Munich.
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It is also said that his Anfield exit is considered a 'sure thing' but recent reports have indicated that Liverpool have been in talks with Konate's representatives with a view to reaching an agreement.
For his part, Konate appears to be relaxed about his future prospects and has even joked he receives regular phone calls from France team-mate Kylian Mbappe urging him to move to the capital.
Asked in a quickfire question and answer game on French television channel TF1 if Mbappe was pilling on pressure to make the switch to the Bernabeu, Konate joked: “He calls me every two hours! No, no, no."
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Konate is currently on international duty with Mbappe and played 90 minutes in France's win over Ukraine on Friday. Les Blues next take on Iceland on Wednesday night.
Liverpool have already attempted to bolster their defensive options in the wake of uncertainty over their central defender's future.
The Reds signed talented prospect Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26million after Jarell Quansah made his exit for Bayer Leverkusen in £35m earlier in the summer.
Arne Slot would have hoped to have another defensive option in Marc Guehi too after a £35m fee was agreed before the plug was pulled on the deal despite the Crystal Palace star undergoing his medical.
Like Konate, Guehi will be available for free next summer and Liverpool currently have little intention of making a play to land the England international in the January transfer window.
Konate's contract situation follows last season where the Reds saw sagas unfold over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold with only the former two players committing their futures to Anfield.
Liverpool did manage to earn a transfer fee for homegrown star Alexander-Arnold however, as Real Madrid stumped up the cash for the full-back to arrive in time for the Club World Cup.