Ibrahima Konate has been announced by Real Madrid in bizarre fashion, with Florentino Perez using his signing as a ploy in the club’s presidential election.
Konate is reported to have agreed a four-year deal to join Real Madrid following his release by Liverpool this summer.
The Frenchman’s departure was confirmed on May 31, with his contract set to expire at the end of June, when he can formally complete a free transfer.
But while Real Madrid are yet to officially unveil their latest Bosman signing, their current president Perez has used his planned arrival as part of his attempts to be re-elected.
“If I am elected president, Konate will be my first signing and he will play for Real Madrid,” he told Spanish newspaper AS.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He further claimed: “As long as I’m president, the best players in the world will play here.
“And next season we’re going to strengthen the team with top players in every position.
“We are working on all these signings. I can assure you that if I remain president of Real Madrid, one of the world’s greatest defenders, Konate, will play for Real Madrid starting next season.”
Perez also unveiled Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid‘s next manager in a video posted by his presidential campaign page on X.
MOUcha historia por hacer. pic.twitter.com/7wLmDk8r2M
— Florentino 2026 (@Florentino2026_) June 3, 2026
Mourinho is already widely reported to have agreed to rejoin his former club, but Portuguese newspaper Record claim the video was made with AI and that he had informed current club Benfica that was the case.
It is almost certain that Perez will be re-elected as Real Madrid president over rival Enrique Riquelme – who is now facing legal action from Man City after claiming he had agreed a deal with Erling Haaland for if he was elected.
And while Perez’s announcement on Wednesday night were far from orthodox, it seems more than likely that Konate will be officially unveiled after the election on Sunday.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The No. 5 had been subject of interest from Real Madrid earlier in the season but the Spanish club informed Liverpool in November they would not pursue a deal.
But with Konate then failing to agree a contract extension despite talks lasting over 18 months, they have returned with an offer which will see the 27-year-old reunited with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Real Madrid are also poised to sign Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan.
Liverpool were previously credited with an interest but the situation seemingly changed after Arne Slot was sacked.