Liverpool are in danger of Real Madrid attempting to lure Ibrahima Konate away from Anfield after William Saliba's decision to commit his long-term future to Arsenal has resulted in the La Liga heavyweights being forced to move onto alternative targets, GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano has revealed in his latest newsletter.
The Reds saw Trent Alexander-Arnold head to the Bernabeu a matter of months ago, when a £10million deal was negotiated for him to leave Merseyside ahead of his contract's expiry date, and boss Arne Slot is at risk of the Spanish giants returning for another of his Premier League title-winning squad.
Champions May Face Fight to Keep Konate at Anfield
Ibrahima Konate in action for Liverpool
Liverpool central defender Konate is on Real Madrid's shortlist of targets after setting their sights on bolstering their options at the heart of the backline, according to Romano, but they have not progressed their interest in the aftermath of Saliba opting to agree a new contract at Arsenal. Writing in his latest GMS newsletter sent to subscribers on Friday, the respected journalist said:
"Konate is on the list, for sure. Not only now because he has been for months. But nothing is done with Konate and nothing was done with Saliba."
Liverpool are at risk of Konate leaving as a free agent as he has entered the final months of his Anfield deal, which allows him to pocket £70,000-per-week before bonuses, and he will have an opportunity to sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid or another overseas suitor from January if he does not pen fresh terms in his current surroundings.
The France international - who has been described as 'sensational' - has been at the forefront of Reds boss Slot's plans during the early stages of the Merseyside heavyweights' title defence, but influential figures behind the scenes have been unable to convince him to commit his long-term future to the club.
Konate has been on Liverpool's books since sealing a £36million move from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in May 2021 and has since gone on to forge a partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk. But Real Madrid are circling and threatening to tempt him to embark on a fresh challenge.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 26/09/2025