While many will remember the 2024/25 campaign as the one Liverpool romped to the Premier League title, others will associate it with how homegrown star Trent Alexander-Arnold ran down his contract to sign with Real Madrid.
The Reds could be in for similar situation next summer. Defender Ibrahima Konate, out of contract in 2026, is the subject of rumors to Los Blancos on a free-agent deal.
Alexis Mac Allister's trophy-life vlog inadvertently added further fuel to the fire. The Argentine international innocuously prepped for Liverpool's final fixture of the season, a home 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, and chronicled his events of the day. This included footage of the Reds celebrating their win on the Anfield pitch following the contest, with Mac Allister partying alongside individual players.
When the Liverpool midfielder approached Konate, he said, "I love you forever, brother" in his native Spanish. After taking a second to gather his words, the French center back responded in the same language.
"I love you forever," he said in Spanish. "You're my brother. You're my brother for life." The pair are extremely close, despite their rivaarly at the international level.
While seemingly tongue-in-cheek, fans on X were alarmed at Konate's Spanish proficiency. "Ibou's Spanish is a little too good..." one wrote. "Yeah, Ibou is gone," another said.
love this https://t.co/RkFqMYlcwj pic.twitter.com/oS60XSMCMB
— (@salahive) May 29, 2025
Konate is in the last year of the initial five-year deal he inked with the Reds following his £36 million ($48 million) transfer from RB Leipzig in 2021.
He's appeared 132 times for Liverpool, capturing a Premier League title, two League Cups, and an FA Cup along the way. He appeared in 31 league games this season.
When asked about renewing his contract in January, the Frenchman was coy. "It’s true, I’ve been offered a new contract by Liverpool,” he said. "Am I close to signing it? That’s another conversation."
“Who talked about that a few months ago? The club didn’t say anything, I didn’t say anything, it’s one person that says that. I was not ready, I didn’t know when he said that, but after I spoke with the club. But after, we’ll see what will happen.”
The Reds would seek a fee north of €70 million ($80 million) for Konate this summer. Real Madrid has already secured the signature of talented Bournemouth center-back Dean Huijsen to add to the likes of Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger at the position.