Image Credits: Imago Images
Earlier this Tuesday, reports from Spain asserted that Real Madrid had agreed a deal to sign Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman is free to explore his options after the club officially confirmed his departure over the weekend.
Real Madrid, never shy when it comes to opportunistic signings, have been monitoring developments closely as they look to refresh their own defensive options for the long term.
The news comes after Konate himself said in April that a new agreement with the Anfield club was close. Instead, the story has flipped completely, and the situation taking a complete 180.
Fabrizio Romano had earlier revealed that performance-related bonuses were a major hurdle in talks, including clauses tied to appearances and achievements such as winning the Champions League.
While it may seem like a minor detail to derail negotiations, it ultimately proved decisive in preventing an agreement.
Now Romano has taken to X to confirm the news that Konate is set to join Real Madrid this summer:
“Real Madrid have verbal agreement in place with Ibrahima Konate! Four-year deal to be signed, depending on if/when Florentino Pérez is re-elected. Here we go, expected right after. Konaté put Saudi bids on hold for Real Madrid.”
It would mark Real Madrid’s second swoop for a Liverpool player on a free transfer following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure 12 months ago.
Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 in a £35 million deal. Since arriving at Anfield, he made 183 appearances, managing to win the Premier League in 2024/25, as well as the FA Cup and EFL Cup twice.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Real Madrid have verbal agreement in place with Ibrahima Konaté!
Four year deal to be signed, depending on if/when Florentino Pérez is re-elected.
Here we go, expected right after. 🔜
Konaté put Saudi bids on hold for Real Madrid, as @marcosbenito9 reported. pic.twitter.com/MjWDhxjHVc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 2, 2026