Ibrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, and his former Reds team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold will reportedly be thrilled at the prospect of a reunion at Real Madrid
07:34, 04 Jun 2026Updated 07:44, 04 Jun 2026
Ibrahima Konate looks set to join Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid
Ibrahima Konate looks set to join Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid(Image: 2025 Allstar)
Trent Alexander-Arnold will undoubtedly welcome the prospect of reuniting with former Liverpool colleague Ibrahima Konate in Madrid this summer, judging by his past comments about the defender.
Following months of rumours, Konate is poised to complete a free transfer to Real after confirming his departure from Liverpool when his contract expires. The France international arrived at Anfield in summer 2021 and developed a strong bond with Alexander-Arnold, who made the switch to Real last summer.
The possibility of them linking up again will surely delight the England full-back. The pair have consistently praised each other publicly, with Alexander-Arnold particularly effusive about Konate's display in Liverpool's Champions League final against Real in 2022.
Despite the Reds falling to a 1-0 defeat, Konate delivered a commanding performance. "Wow. Outstanding," Alexander-Arnold told Liverpool's official website the following day. "The performance he put in yesterday, I'm lost for words. Words can't do it justice."
Discussing their growing friendship at that time, he continued: "We've created a bond and he's an amazing lad. The potential he has is ridiculous. The sky is the limit."
Twelve months prior, shortly after Konate's arrival from RB Leipzig, Alexander-Arnold had expressed his admiration for his new team-mate. "He's a very athletic boy, which is probably something more common now with centre-backs," he said. "Being amazing athletes, who are fast and strong and he ticks all those boxes. He's still young. But he's got huge potential.
"I think obviously learning and playing next to Virgil [Van Dijk], he's one of those players you instantly pick up things from – just his positioning and the way he commands the defence."
Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold
Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold share a strong bond(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The sentiment appears to be reciprocated. Prior to England's quarter-final encounter with France at the 2022 World Cup, Konate spoke openly about his close bond with Alexander-Arnold, indicating he too would be enthusiastic about reuniting with his former colleague.
"It's a rivalry that's been around since the dawn of time," Konate said in a press conference for France's clash with the Three Lions. "Trent Alexander-Arnold sent me a message saying, 'See you on Saturday, my brother' because I'm very close to him."
Konate had been engaged in negotiations with the Reds regarding a potential contract extension but both sides were unable to reach an accord. In April, he stated he was "close" to signing a new deal and expressed his desire to remain at Anfield.
Nevertheless, he will now conclude his five-year spell at Anfield, having secured the Premier League, FA Cup and two League Cups. Real remain his most probable destination.
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This would represent yet another significant transfer setback for the Reds. Liverpool lost Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid last summer, with the Spanish giants paying a mere £10m to secure the defender just weeks before his deal ran out on Merseyside.