Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate are teammates at international level for France — and it appears they're going to play alongside each other at Real Madrid next season
17:43, 02 Jun 2026
Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid's biggest star
Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid's biggest star(Image: Getty Images)
It seems that Ibrahima Konate's long-term future belongs in Spain.
Real Madrid is believed to be finalizing a move for the Frenchman, who has confirmed he will leave Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires later this month. Konate was also linked with a move to Xabi Alonso's Chelsea, but that deal now seems unlikely.
If Madrid completes the free transfer, it's unlikely to go down well with fans on Merseyside. That's partially because Konate, 27, told the press in April that he was "close to an agreement" with the Reds to continue his Anfield career. Yet it's mainly due to Madrid's long-term pursuit of several Liverpool players, including Konate.
After persuading Trent Alexander-Arnold to run down his Liverpool contract and force a move to the Spanish capital, Los Blancos turned their attention to Konate — another Reds defender in the theoretical prime of his career.
Liverpool fans feared that Konate would follow in Alexander-Arnold's footsteps and run his contract down. Those concerns weren't eased when Konate claimed that Kylian Mbappe, Madrid's talisman, was constantly calling him.
"He's calling me every two hours," said Konate last September when asked if Mbappe was putting pressure on him to join Madrid. The defender seemed to be joking, but his comments left Liverpool fans fearing the worst.
Ibrahima Konate could play alongside Mbappe next season
Ibrahima Konate could play alongside Mbappe next season(Image: Getty Images)
The situation turned back in Liverpool's favor last November when reports suggested Madrid was no longer interested in Konate, who was struggling for form at the time.
After that, Konate often hinted that he would continue his Liverpool career. He said in April: "For sure, there is a big chance I’m here next season. This is what I always wanted."
Konate also suggested he would become a leader within the Liverpool locker room. He added: "The legends are going to leave one day, and after, it's going to be our turn to take the lead. I started this already, and it's a big responsibility."
But then, just as it seemed he was staying, came the bombshell news of his exit.
Konate claimed in his departure statement: "I am deeply saddened that I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to all of you at the last game. At that moment, I didn’t know it would be my final time wearing this shirt in front of you."
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And now, it seems that Mbappe has finally got his wish: to play alongside Konate at the Bernabeu. The pair will try to win the World Cup together first, as the French aim to avenge their final loss to Argentina in Qatar four years ago.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will hope that Konate is the last current star who swaps Anfield for Madrid.