Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid with his contract at Anfield to expire this summer
Ibrahima Konate applauds
Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future is up in the air(Image: Getty Images)
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Real Madrid are reportedly interested again in Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate. The 26-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and, with negotiations over fresh terms having stalled, he will leave on a free transfer this summer as it stands.
Real have developed a pattern in recent years of acquiring top players from rival sides on free transfers. However, they were eventually forced to pay £8.5million to bring Trent Alexander-Arnold from Anfield in June, just a month before his deal expired.
[Reports emerged at the end of last year that Real had ended their interest in Konate](http://emerged Real Madrid have ended their interest in signing). But ESPN now claim that Los Blancos are back in for Liverpool's defender.
It is claimed that the Frenchman's financial demands previously ruled Madrid out of the running. However, it is said that if he lowers those, he could become an option again.
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Dayot Upamecano signing a new deal at Bayern Munich and Marc Guehi joining Manchester City leave few options for Real if they want to sign a top-class new centre-back on a free transfer. It is claimed, therefore, that Konate could be an option at the Santiago Bernebeau.
Konate addressed his contract situation in November. He said: "I've seen a lot of things in the press recently, like Liverpool have made me a new offer.
"I don't know where that's coming from. My agents are continuing discussions with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: (SUN OUT, SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on January 31, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)
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Konate recently lost his father Hamady and made his return to the Reds' matchday squad last weekend.
The France international was in tears after netting Liverpool's fourth goal in their 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.
He was clearly emotional after finding the net - immediately consoled by his team-mates.
Speaking after the final whistle, Konate said: "For sure I am very happy and I don't have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family in the last two weeks but this is part of life.
"But I thought I should come back and help the team. Anfield was unbelievable today and that's what we need until the end of the season."
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