Marca journalist Jose Felix Diaza has now provided a significant update regarding the future of Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman’s future is a big talking point at the moment, with his current Reds deal expiring when this season reaches its conclusion.
That means other clubs could sign him on a free transfer, not least Real Madrid, who have been linked with a move for him for months now.
It is easy to envisage Konate’s head being turned by a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, as was the case with Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier this year, and now a new update has emerged regarding his potential exit.
Speaking to Marca [via Sport Witness], Diaza said that the 26-year-old’s “commitment to Real Madrid is more than just a rumour”, suggesting that a move is very much a possibility at this point.
Will Konate leave Liverpool in 2026?
With each passing rumour, the more it feels as though Konate could leave Liverpool in 2026, but it’s important to stress that nothing truly concrete has happened yet, in terms of him actually saying he wants to depart.
While the France international has been disappointing so far this season, looking far from his usual self, he is still a superb player at his best, with Micah Richards hailing him last season:
“I watched him a lot at Leipzig – there’s so much potential. There’s all these things he’s tremendous at – last ditch tackles he can do that, he can get back in, pace – no problem at all. To go to the next level now if he can just concentrate a little bit more and be a bit more assured on the ball.”
Konate has a big decision to make in the coming months, having to decide if he sees his long-term future at Liverpool and be the natural heir to Virgil van Dijk leading the Reds’ defence, or wishes to enjoy a new challenge at a key point in his career.
Ultimately, if he sees his future away from Anfield, there isn’t much the Reds can do about it, but the positives still outweigh the negatives with him, so retaining his services is the more preferable outcome.
