Real Madrid and Liverpool face off again in a struggle for a vital defensive player, according to a recent report.
Real Madrid and Liverpool are currently in negotiations over the potential transfer of centre-back Ibrahima Konate. The French defender, who has built a strong partnership with Virgil van Dijk, has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants.
The Reds are resisting the sale of Konate, setting a price tag of €35m, which is significantly above Real Madrid's ceiling of €25m. Liverpool may see their hand forced due to the possibility of another Alexander-Arnold repeat, with the full-back already having moved to Real Madrid this summer.
Konate himself reportedly wants to join Real Madrid either this season or next and has agreed on the move in principle. However, the two clubs are far apart on the transfer fee. Real Madrid is reluctant to exceed €25m and may prefer to wait and offer Konate a pre-contract agreement to join for free next summer.
Liverpool is pressuring for a contract renewal with Konate, who demands a salary close to £200,000 per week. The Reds have already brought in replacements such as Giovanni Leoni in anticipation of Konate’s potential departure.
Real Madrid's defence has already been strengthened with the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, but they remain interested in Konate due to the injury history of their current defenders. The situation could be influenced if other clubs like Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona enter the bidding, which might raise Konate's price and complicate Madrid’s plans.
As of now, Real Madrid may decide to wait until next January to sign a pre-contract agreement and get him on a free transfer in 2026 if no compromise is reached this summer. Liverpool, on the other hand, may choose to sell this summer or risk losing him for free next year.
In the opinion of some analysts, it feels worth the gamble for Liverpool to keep Konate at Anfield for another season, especially given the high asking price from Real Madrid. The negotiations are ongoing, and the future of Ibrahima Konate remains uncertain.
[1] Fichajes [2] AS [3] Transfermarkt [4] Goal.com
The ongoing negotiations between Real Madrid and Liverpool over Ibrahima Konate's potential transfer indicate a strong interest from the Spanish giants, particularly due to the injury history of their current defenders. [1] [2] [4]
Real Madrid is reluctant to meet Liverpool's €35m price tag for Konate, who has expressed his desire to join Madrid either this season or next. [1] [2] [4] However, the future of this highly-sought European leagues footballer remains uncertain. [3]
