Real Madrid reportedly believe they will sign Ibrahima Konate despite suggestions that talks between Liverpool and the French defender are ongoing.

Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Liverpool and Konate are in “ongoing” discussions and that although Madrid’s interest is real, nothing is official yet.

He said: “So Liverpool, there are still conversations ongoing over the new contract between Konate and Liverpool, but [there is] no agreement at this stage.”

Now, it would appear as though Madrid are convinced they will land the former RB Leipzig star’s signature.

Real Madrid “believe they WILL” now sign Ibrahima Konate

According to the Daily Mail‘s Lewis Steele, Liverpool could soon lose the battle for Ibrahima Konate as Real Madrid now believe they will complete the signing.
The report says: “Real Madrid are confident they can sign Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer next summer, according to sources in Spain.”

However, despite some more context on how he could follow in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Steele writes that this is by no means a foregone conclusion – just Madrid’s feeling.

Steele continues: “Sources told us last December that Alexander-Arnold would almost certainly join the Madrid giants and some have gone as far to suggest this week that senior club staffers have openly discussed how they believe they are close to a verbal agreement with Konate.

“It is understood, though, that the defender has not communicated any desire to leave to Liverpool at this stage and the player has not yet fully made up his mind. Liverpool opened contract talks with their centre back last November but no deal has yet been struck.”

Losing Ibrahima Konate will be a bigger blow than losing Trent Alexander-Arnold

This might be controversial but Konate is arguably more important to the Liverpool style of play than Alexander-Arnold was. The right-back was no doubt a player who won more headlines than Konate but the Frenchman is still more important.

In many ways, Alexander-Arnold was a luxury player – Konate is one of the most important names on the team sheet.

For a football club that so favours playing on the front foot, Liverpool need to have centre-backs like Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who are arguably the best in the world playing in a high line.

Losing Konate – for free no less – would be a catastrophic blow, although FSG are well-suited to the task of replacing him.