Ibrahima Konate wants Real Madrid, defender tells Liverpool to sell his this summer if they want transfer money: Report

In a major boost to Real Madrid's summer transfer plans, Liverpool's French defender Ibrahima Konate has reportedly informed the club's hierarchy that he is open to a transfer to the Spanish capital.

 

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The 26-year-old centre-back has reportedly told Liverpool's directors that he is open to a move, provided it is Real Madrid who wish to sign him this summer. Despite this, the relationship between the board and the player remains cordial, even though the club had hoped he would renew his contract with the Premier League champions. If Konate insists on leaving and Liverpool chooses to keep him for another year, the Frenchman could depart as a free agent next summer when his contract expires. 

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The Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer saga should be fresh in the minds of Liverpool's decision-makers, and it is safe to assume they would be reluctant to lose another highly-rated star as a free agent. Should Konate remain steadfast in not renewing his contract and declining to become the leader of Liverpool's backline in the post-Virgil van Dijk era, it could pave the way for another transfer from Anfield to Madrid.

 

 

Konate reportedly revealed his intention to join Real Madrid to club directors to ensure they understand they can capitalise on his sale this summer if they wish. Interestingly, Real Madrid's central defensive pairing of Antonio Rüdiger and Raul Asensio were criticised for not adapting to the high-pressing game preferred by Xabi Alonso following their FIFA Club World Cup semi-final defeat to PSG. In that match, which Alexander-Arnold missed, the two centre-backs were deemed responsible for two of the goals Real conceded in their 4-0 routing. 

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Konate, with his ability on the ball, capacity to quickly cover large areas, and prowess as a high-pressing defender when needed, seems a better fit. He swiftly closes down opponents and aims to win the ball high up the pitch, thereby disrupting opposition build-up.

 

 

Konate, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 for €40 million, is currently valued at approximately €60 million. With David Alaba and eder Militão both injury-ravaged, and Rüdiger not ideally suited to Xabi Alonso's system, Dean Huijsen is currently the only defender with a confirmed spot in Real Madrid's starting line-up. Thus, it is quite possible that Konate and Alexander-Arnold could well be at the heart of the defence at the Bernabeu, just as they used to be at Anfield.

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