Ibrahima Konate reportedly feels ‘betrayed’ by Real Madrid after the Spanish giants shifted their transfer focus toward fellow Frenchman Dayot Upamecano, according to reports from Spain.
However, Madrid’s leading sports outlet insists Konate remains Los Blancos’ top defensive target.
The former RB Leipzig star is this season’s contract pariah at Liverpool after last season saw Trent Alexander-Arnold make headlines for the manner in which he departed Merseyside.
Konate, although not a Scouser, seems to be following a similar tactic of engaging in club contract negotiations while openly flirting with Real Madrid amid rumours he could leave at the end of the season.
His current contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, and Real Madrid are said to be monitoring his situation closely with a view to a potential free transfer next summer.
Real Madrid eye defensive reinforcements for 2025
TEAMtalk reports that the Konate has not yet made a decision on his future.
Madrid, meanwhile, are exploring multiple defensive options as they prepare for potential changes in their back line.
According to Cadena SER , Dayot Upamecano has now emerged as a leading target for Real Madrid. The report claims the Spanish champions are willing to offer the Bayern Munich defender a €20 million (£17.3m) signing-on fee should he agree to join them next summer.
Upamecano, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, is currently in discussions with Bayern Munich over a new deal.
Cadena SER noted: “Upamecano is the name that’s starting to gain traction, especially after the Konate option, which was also being considered at Real Madrid, is starting to collapse due to the Liverpool player’s numerous injuries.”
Konate ‘outraged’ by Madrid’s U-Turn, but Marca reports something else
A follow-up report from E-Noticies claims that Konate feels ‘betrayed’ and ‘outraged’ by Real Madrid’s sudden pivot toward Upamecano.
The outlet says the French defender was “convinced he would land at Real Madrid next summer”, but this “drastic turn” has left him “surprised and disappointed.”
While E-Noticies’ report has gained traction, it’s worth noting that the outlet is based in Catalonia, and local biases may influence its reporting. In contrast, Marca – Spain’s most influential Real Madrid-focused publication – continues to maintain that Konate remains Madrid’s number one defensive target.
On October 10, Marca reported that Konate is “the number one on Real Madrid’s preferred list” of centre-back options. Despite his recent dip in form and injury concerns, the Spanish outlet believes Madrid’s long-standing interest in the Frenchman has not cooled.
Other names, including Marc Guehi and Upamecano, have been added to Madrid’s scouting list, but Marca insists Konate remains the top priority heading into 2025.
