The brass at La Liga giants Real Madrid have made the call to pull out of their long-term pursuit of Liverpool star Ibrahima Konaté.
This comes amid confirmation that Los Blancos this week informed their Liverpool counterparts of their decision to pursue other targets.
Real Madrid have of course long been tipped as a potential landing spot for Konaté.
Ahead of the expiration of his contract terms at Anfield in the summer of 2026, the Frenchman had been earmarked as the ideal long-term addition to Xabi Alonso’s centre-back ranks.
As per a report from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, citing The Athletic, however:
‘Real Madrid have informed Liverpool that they won’t proceed with Ibrahima Konaté deal for 2026. After having Konaté on shortlist for long time, deal off.’
🚨🇫🇷 Real Madrid have informed Liverpool that they won’t proceed with Ibrahima Konaté deal for 2026.
After having Konaté on shortlist for long time, deal off — reports @TheAthleticFC.
Konaté, still discussing new deal at Liverpool. Proposal on the table, no final decision yet. pic.twitter.com/SOqxTEvcYE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 28, 2025
Real Madrid are now expected to turn focus towards alternative targets.
With the futures of both David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger considered as being very much up in the air, Florentino Pérez and co. are expected to sanction the arrival of at least one new centre-half for the 2026/27 campaign.
Conor Laird – GSFN