Ibrahima Konate will leave Liverpool this summer after the two parties failed to agree on terms for a new contract, with his current deal set to expire on 30 June.
The Frenchman is one of the best centre-backs in the world, but after a poor season at Anfield has failed to convince FSG that he is worthy of the terms he was demanding. While the exact numbers involved have not been made public, it was high enough for the American owners to reject.
Now, he is a free agent, and it appears as though Real Madrid will be his next club.
Liverpool FC can confirm Ibrahima Konate is set to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer.
Konate will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution he made and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 31, 2026
Real Madrid set to sign Ibrahima Konate on free transfer
Fabrizio Romano took to X on Tuesday afternoon to break the news that Konate and Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement over a deal to move the Santiago Bernabeu.
Romanoreports*: “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 Marcos Benito reported.”*
?? 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
Given that this transfer will adhere to Bosman transfer rules, there is no need for negotiation with Liverpool over a transfer fee, meaning all that remains is for a contract to be reviewed and signed before he will be ready to join the club.
The only contingency in this deal is whether or not Florentino Perez is re-elected as president of Real Madrid, which, given he has been president of the Galacticos for 26 years, is a strong possibility.
Liverpool will come to regret allowing Konate to leave
While there will be those who disagree, Liverpool will not be able to find a centre-back as good as Konate this summer. His pace, strength and aerial prowess are elite.
The most annoying aspect of this transfer is that he is perfect for a manager like Andoni Iraola, whose aggressive, front-foot philosophy would have extracted the best from Konate.
Under Jurgen Klopp, he was a monster. Anfield used to ring with fans screaming ‘IBOU’ whenever he made a defensive action.
That quality doesn’t disappear overnight, and when he helps lead Real Madrid to silverware, it will be with regret that Liverpool look on.