Real Madrid are still “pushing to try to sign” Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate this summer, according to a fresh claim from journalist Nicolo Schira.
The Frenchman’s current Reds deal runs out at the end of this season, and as things stand, a contract extension isn’t close to being sorted, as journalist Pete O’Rourke has stated for Football Insider:
“Obviously, Konate’s future remains unclear with just months left on his contract and still no breakthrough in signing a new deal at Anfield. I think, obviously, his future remains unresolved, and nothing has been decided either way, it seems.
“Jacquet is seen as somebody for the future and Liverpool have spent big money on him. Liverpool ideally would love to see Konate stay and have Jacquet with him next season as well because they’re going to need four centre-halves.”
Now, Schira has taken to X to claim that Madrid are pushing hard to sign Konate on a free transfer when the summer window arrives, snapping him up on a six-year deal in the process:
“Real Madrid are pushing to try to sign Ibrahima Konate as a free agent from July. Real have offered to the centre-back a contract until 2031.”
Konate’s future must be resolved sooner rather than later
This is a saga that is now dragging on, as was the case with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah last season, with Konate needing to make a decision either way.
The 26-year-old’s form has been much improved of late, highlighting why keeping hold of him would be the better outcome for Liverpool, even though he has been disappointing overall this season.
Madrid are a huge lure, however, as was the case with Alexander-Arnold, and the Premier League champions may find it hard to persuade Konate to stay, especially if he isn’t being handed the wages he wants in a potential extension.
If he does leave, the Reds must sign at least one more centre-back as well as new signing Jeremy Jacquet in the summer, with 34-year-old Van Dik not getting any younger and doubts persisting over Joe Gomez’s future at Anfield beyond 2026.
