Real Madrid are primed to leap ahead in the race for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract runs out in 2026. The French center-back, who has declined Liverpool’s extension offer, has reportedly informed Real Madrid of his wish to join them once he’s a free agent.
Madrid intend to emulate the model that secured Trent Alexander‑Arnold—bypassing hefty transfer fees by acquiring top talent upon contract expiry. With Konaté unwilling to commit to Liverpool, Real could land a high-caliber defender on a free, saving millions in fees.
Liverpool face a dilemma: demand a lofty transfer fee of around €50 million, or risk losing Konaté at no cost in 2026—especially if they cannot broker a new deal. Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, ready to act if and when the opportunity arises.