A significant update has emerged regarding Ibrahima Konate’s potential move to Real Madrid, courtesy of journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Frenchman’s Liverpool future has been a major talking point of late, with Madrid continually linked with a move for him in 2026, when his contract expires at Anfield.
Konate’s form has been shocking this season, with the 26-year-old again poor in Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, and now an update has dropped regarding him.
According to Romano on X, the centre-back’s move to Madrid next year is now “off”, with the Spanish giants deciding against making a move for him:
“Real Madrid have informed Liverpool that they won’t proceed with Ibrahima Konate deal for 2026. After having Konate on shortlist for long time, deal off – reports @TheAthleticFC . Konate, still discussing new deal at Liverpool. Proposal on the table, no final decision yet.”
Konate not deserving of move from Liverpool to Real Madrid
If Konate has had his heart set on joining Madrid at the end of the current campaign, he hasn’t exactly shown them that he can be a top-quality signing at the heart of the defence
His displays this season haven’t been close to good enough for the Reds, with too many errors thrown in, a lack of concentration on show and even Virgil van Dijk affected by his erratic presence.
In terms of Konate’s Liverpool future, huge improvements are needed in order to earn a contract extension, with the France international needing to find the level that led to Van Dijk saying this about him last season:
“He is a fantastic player who still can be better. As you saw, he is important with the goal, he is defensively solid, a bit unlucky with the goal we conceded, but obviously the qualities he has are outstanding in my opinion. He is learning, growing, getting better and looking after himself much better in order to be ready every three days as that’s what asked.”
If not, Liverpool should consider allowing Konate to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, potentially bringing in Marc Guehi and one other centre-back in the process.