Liverpool and Real Madrid Lock Horns in High-Stakes Battle for Konate's Signature

Sources within Real Madrid suggest there's internal disagreement regarding a potential summer pursuit of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté.

Konaté is entering the last six months of his current deal, and recent reports indicate that contract renewal discussions have stalled significantly, with the French defender's potential free agency status attracting Madrid's attention.

After Arsenal's William Saliba was crossed off their target list following his contract renewal, Madrid seemed set on securing Konaté this summer. However, ESPN reports the situation is more complex than initially thought.

While certain Madrid officials view acquiring Konaté as a free agent this summer as an obvious decision, others within the club remain unconvinced and have yet to endorse pursuing the French international.

The decision-makers unanimously supported securing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, but discussions regarding Konaté continue, with the defender eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs starting in January.

Liverpool Reportedly Interested in Real Madrid Target Dayot Upamecano

Madrid are compiling backup options to Konaté, including his ex-RB Leipzig colleague Dayot Upamecano. Both defenders will be available without transfer fees at season's end.

Should Madrid pursue Upamecano, BILD anticipates competition from Liverpool, as the Merseyside club is reportedly interested in the 26-year-old as they plan for Konaté's potential departure.

There's also speculation that Bayern might target Konaté to fill Upamecano's spot, whose theoretical move to Liverpool could leave Madrid empty-handed in a transfer window that might see departures from both David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger as their contracts near expiration.

22-year-old Castello Lukeba, who moved to Leipzig in summer 2023, is mentioned as another possible Madrid target, though he would command a substantially higher fee.