Ibrahima Konate may be staying at Liverpool after all, as Real Madrid have now turned their focus away from him.
Since the start of the 2025-26 season, the Frenchman has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu, with Xabi Alonso looking to replace Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.
Neither of them played in the game against Liverpool on Tuesday when the Reds beat Los Blancos 1-0 with Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao taking the reins.
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Although it may have taken a moment of magic from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to break past Real’s defences, they managed to do it and left Anfield with all three points.
The game has a lot resting upon it due to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s transfer in the summer, with most fans thinking they’d end up repeating the same trick with Konate.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid applauds the supporters at full-time following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
However, that doesn’t feel all that likely now after the latest reports that have emerged from Spain.
Real Madrid are now shifting their focus to Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano
Dayot Upamecano, Marc Guehi, and Konate are three of the most sought-after centre-backs in the world at the moment.
The trio all have their contracts expiring in the summer of 2026, with only Guehi confirming that he’ll be leaving.
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Liverpool are likely to have been in talks with all three at one point or another, but their main focus will no doubt be to extend Konate’s stay.
And now, as per a report from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna via his personal X account, it seems like things could be headed that way.
“Real Madrid and Dayot Upamecano are close to a verbal agreement,” he wrote.
“Real Madrid is currently in pole position to sign the French international.
“Bayern Munich is still trying to extend his contract. PSG is closely following his situation.”
Liverpool fans can start to settle down about the future of Ibrahima Konate now
One of Liverpool’s main worries this season will have no doubt been losing Konate for nothing.
Although several attempts have been made to extend the Frenchman’s current deal, an agreement hasn’t yet been reached between the two parties.
However, now that Real Madrid seem to be going after Upamecano instead, that means there’s one less player in the race for Konate.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid holds off Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield.
Photo by Justin Setterfield – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
This may help the Reds massively, as if Liverpool are the only offer that the former RB Leipzig man has on the table at the moment, he may choose to stay.
Of course, rumours of Paris Saint-Germain being interested in the centre-back have also emerged, but with the Parisians also interested in Upamecano, it feels like the spotlight could be away from Konate at the moment.