Liverpool Stands Firm on Konate as Real Madrid Circles for Star Defender
While Real Madrid maintain their pursuit of Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool have allegedly signaled their reluctance to part ways with the star center-back during this transfer window.
Liverpool dominated much of their triumphant 2024–25 Premier League season with contract negotiations dominating the news cycle. However, despite the Reds successfully securing new deals for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they said goodbye to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made the switch to Real Madrid.
Though the club ultimately received €10 million (£8.4 million, $11.4 million) compensation for the fullback, this amount was significantly lower than what they might have earned by selling Alexander-Arnold rather than letting his contract nearly expire.
Liverpool currently confronts a comparable predicament with Konaté, whose deal runs out at the conclusion of the upcoming season. Should the club fail to negotiate fresh terms with the French defender, he might depart as a free transfer and potentially join Alexander-Arnold at the Bernabéu.
Regardless of this possibility and attention from Real Madrid plus Paris Saint-Germain, Fabrizio Romano indicates the Reds refuse to consider selling Konaté. Even should one of these European powerhouses match the club's anticipated valuation of €50 million (£43.5 million; $58.8 million), Liverpool presently remain determined to retain the defender.
The Premier League winners have supposedly presented Konaté with a contract extension, though it was declined due to inadequate wages for the French international.
The more prolonged these contract discussions remain stalled, the more likely Konaté becomes to consider leaving Anfield. What would be even more damaging for Liverpool than losing the defender would be his departure without any transfer fee.
Real Madrid's pursuit of Konaté intensified following the end of the 2024–25 season after Los Blancos allowed 84 goals in all tournaments, matching their record for most conceded in any single campaign.
Despite the La Liga second-place finishers already acquiring Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, they continue seeking additional defensive depth considering Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba's advancing years and injury histories.
Konaté himself has faced fitness issues; indeed, the previous season marked his first time featuring in over 22 league games since his Liverpool arrival in 2021. Nevertheless, a defender of his caliber becoming available is precisely the profile Real Madrid would target.