Ibrahima Konate has faced more criticism than any other player this season as he continues to wind down his Liverpool contract.
The centre-back has looked a shadow of the player who dominated alongside Virgil van Dijk as the Reds won the Premier League last term.
Part of the reason Konate has been singled out so often is that he looks all set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Do you want Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool?
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool lines up before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
The Frenchman appeared set to join Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid, rumours which have sown bad feeling between Konate and the Liverpool fans.
However, as January approaches, the Spanish giants have made a surprising early move to back out of signing the 26-year-old.
Ibrahima Konate will not be joining Real Madrid
Despite his appalling form this season, Konate has shown enough during his five years at Liverpool to be regarded as one of the most impressive centre-backs in Europe.
As a result, he will have his pick of options if he cannot agree terms on a fresh deal at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate on the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Four bits of good news emerge for Liverpool fans as Arne Slot delivers defiant press conference
According to journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic, however, Real Madrid will not be one of those options.
“Real Madrid considered Ibrahima Konate but inform Liverpool they have no interest in signing France int’l,” says Ornstein. “26yo’s unresolved LFC contract situation could still go either way.”
Continuing in the outlet, The Athletic reveal that Madrid have ‘unequivocally’ shut the door on Konate’s arrival at the Bernabeu.
Los Blancos are said to have ‘no interest’ in the Liverpool No. 5, however there seemingly remains a possibility he could still leave Anfield on a free transfer.
Will Marc Guehi end up at Liverpool?
“If he goes in January or the summer, who knows? I hope he stays until then so we can have him a bit longer”
Adam Wharton on Marc Guehi leaving Crystal Palace
Where else could Konate go?
Although Liverpool fans have potentially decided that they no longer want Konate as part of the squad moving forward, this is the clearest sign yet that he could actually stay.
Madrid were not the only option available to the France international, though, and at least two more clubs should be closely watched in this saga.
Bayern Munich could lose Dayot Upamecano for nothing, and bringing in Konate would seem like a natural move if that does indeed happen.
PSG have also been heavily linked with the Reds’ centre-back over the years, with Konate hailing from Paris originally.
Should he fail to agree an extension with Liverpool, both Bayern and PSG are likely to be ones to watch.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox