Real Madrid considering making an approach for Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate amid new contract talks
It is now an open secret that Real Madrid have been pursuing Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold since last year.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of three Reds’ stars who are out of contract at the end of the season. The England international has been linked with an Anfield exit since last summer, with Real Madrid touted as his likeliest destination. However, Los Blancos are not just after Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool as they look to rebuild their defence ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
According to an exclusive report from The Daily Mail, Real Madrid are considering making an approach for Ibrahima Konate. They are believed to be keeping close tabs on the centre-back’s contract situation and could wait for it to run down if they decide against making an official offer for him in the summer.
Liverpool received a major injury blow as their star defender Ibrahima Konate got subbed off due to an injury against Brighton.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has emerged as a target for Real Madrid
Ibrahima Konate has a contract at Anfield until June 2026, and while the Liverpool bosses have begun talks with his camp over fresh terms, no agreement has yet been reached.
Real Madrid are extremely savvy operators in the transfer market and could attempt to prise the France international away as early as this summer or in a similar strategy to the pursuit of his compatriot Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool teammate Alexander-Arnold—they may wait for him to become a free agent in 2026.
Since joining the Reds from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, Konate has made 121 appearances across all competitions, forging a strong partnership with skipper Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence. The Frenchman arrived in the red half of Merseyside as a hugely exciting defensive talent with bags of potential, unfortunately though, he has not fully managed to live up the expectations majorly due to injury problems.
Ibrahima Konate has enjoyed a strong season with Liverpool
The Paris-born star has already missed eight games with a knee injury this season, but when fully fit and running, he is simply sensational and undoubtedly among the best in his position in the English top flight. Persistent injuries have been a big frustration because had it not been for that, Konate would now be regarded as a top centre-back across the entire continent.
At 25, we assume Konate, who is also reportedly on the PSG radar, has his best years ahead of him. Given he will enter the final year of his contract in June, the Anfield chiefs should be worried. The centre-back has been offered a new deal but has not signed anything, which is enough to ring alarm bells.
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Arne Slot will loathe to lose Van Dijk and Konate—two stalwarts in defence—in successive years. With Madrid contemplating making an approach, which is never a good sign, Liverpool must step up their efforts to secure Konate’s future at the club.