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Ibrahima Konate has reportedly already agreed a new contract with Real Madrid.
Both Liverpool and the 27-year-old confirmed over the week that the decision has been made for him to depart Anfield on a free transfer.
The centre-back is the latest elite name to leave Merseyside for nothing, following in the footsteps of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in what is quickly becoming a worrying exodus of top-tier talent.
Fabrizio Romano previously reported that his bonuses were the sticking point in negotiations, surrounding things like number of appearances as well as competition objectives like winning the Champions League.
It seems a very trivial thing to be able to deny a contract extension, but the decision has been made.
Now Spanish outlet AS report that Konate is set to sign a four-year deal with a one-year extension this summer with Real Madrid:
“The French centre-back would arrive for free. Florentino is about to close him with a four-year contract plus one. Mourinho would welcome his signing.”
“The fact that Kylian sees him favorably plays in his favor.”
It’s thought that the signing of the former RB Leipzig defender could become officially should Florentio Perez win the presidential election this coming Saturday
The report also asserts that Konate has his pick of Europe’s elite, including the Premier League’s “Big Six”:
“Konate also has offers from Bayern Munich, PSG and almost all the members of the Big Six of the Premier League (obviously, Liverpool is out). His role in the World Cup with Deschamps’ France may or may not increase his value. For this reason, Florentino’s people are speeding up to close his signing now that he is within reach.”
Madrid had been circling in the background for well over a year, first sounding out Konate’s camp in early 2025 before briefly cooling their interest, only to return to the negotiating table once it became clear he would be available as a free agent in 2026.