Real Madrid Receives Major Boost in Pursuit of Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate

Real Madrid are said to be convinced that Ibrahima Konaté desires a move to the Spanish capital amid his ongoing contract negotiations with Liverpool.

The imposing French center-back is set to enter free agency when the current season concludes. Konaté has not definitively dismissed the possibility of extending his stay at Anfield, while any discussion about joining Los Blancos has remained lighthearted in his public statements.

Nevertheless, confidence remains high in the Spanish capital. The Athletic reports that sources in Madrid firmly believe Konaté is interested in making the switch to the Santiago Bernabéu.

The piece further suggests that pursuing the 26-year-old was not considered "a genuine possibility" during the recent transfer window and speculates that he might be "leveraging both options," maintaining Real Madrid as an alternative to pressure Liverpool into improving their contract proposals. Unsubstantiated rumors linking the club to Tottenham's defender Micky van de Ven were quickly refuted.

There remains a possibility that Liverpool's patience with their contract standoff may eventually wear thin. Konaté allegedly turned down a third proposal for enhanced terms earlier this week, according to MARCA. Officials at Anfield reportedly view his departure "as inevitable," though this situation remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Konaté has undoubtedly started the current campaign appearing unsettled and distracted. The French defender showed little composure during the Community Shield and was repeatedly caught out of position against Bournemouth in the Premier League opener. Konaté did manage to effectively contain Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres, though the Swedish addition has also struggled to find his rhythm early on.

Should Konaté depart, Liverpool have already identified Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi as their preferred successor. Similar to Real Madrid's approach, the Merseyside club is anticipated to pursue the England defender as a free transfer next summer.

Additionally, there is the promising young talent Giovanni Leoni who joined the club during the recent transfer window.