Liverpool find themselves in a familiar and uncomfortable position as Ibrahima Konaté enters the final stretch of his contract. The French defender, who turned 26 this year, has just one season left on his current deal, and negotiations over an extension have hit a brick wall. According to multiple reports, Konaté has rejected at least three separate offers from the Reds in recent months, leaving his future shrouded in uncertainty.

While Konaté has not publicly demanded a move, his reluctance to commit has alarmed Liverpool’s hierarchy. The situation has drawn strong comparisons to the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga, when the academy graduate allowed his contract to run down before securing a free transfer to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid’s Growing Confidence

Over in Spain, the mood is optimistic. The Athletic, the Daily Mail, and Liverpool Confidential all report that officials at the Bernabéu are increasingly confident of signing Konaté on a free transfer in 2026. Some senior staff at Madrid are even said to have discussed a verbal understanding being close.

Madrid view Konaté as a natural successor to David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger, both of whom are entering the twilight of their careers. With compatriots like Camavinga, Tchouaméni, and Mendy already in the squad — not to mention his close friendship with Alexander-Arnold — the move has clear appeal for the Frenchman.

The Price Debate

Liverpool, for their part, are unwilling to lose such a key player without a fight. Reports in Spain suggest the club have put a €55m price tag on Konaté’s head for this summer, daring Madrid to act before his deal runs down. Florentino Pérez, however, is understood to have dismissed the idea of paying such a fee, insisting that patience will bring the player for free in less than a year.

This echoes previous Madrid strategies with free transfers for David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger — a methodical approach that avoids overspending when contracts are close to expiry.

On-Field Concerns

Konaté’s performances at the start of the season have only added to the uncertainty. After looking shaky in the Community Shield and on opening day against Bournemouth, some observers have suggested his head is already turned. Others believe his dip in form is tactical or down to pressure from the ongoing contract saga.

Still, he showed flashes of his defensive authority when subduing Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres, proving his quality remains intact despite the noise around him.

Liverpool’s Contingency Plan

If Konaté were to leave, Liverpool have already earmarked Marc Guéhi of Crystal Palace as a ready-made replacement. The England international is admired at Anfield, and much like Madrid with Konaté, Liverpool may prefer to wait until Guéhi becomes available as a free agent next summer.

Young prospect Giovanni Leoni, signed earlier this year, is also seen as one for the future, but too raw to fill the void if Konaté departs.

@DaveOCKOP‘s official tweet down below:

What Happens Next?

With January just months away, the clock is ticking. From that point, Konaté would be free to negotiate directly with Madrid over a pre-contract, leaving Liverpool with the unenviable choice of selling him in the winter or losing him for nothing next summer.

For now, the situation remains finely balanced:

• Madrid are patient — confident time is on their side.
• Liverpool are defiant — hoping to convince Konaté to stay.
• Konaté himself is undecided — at least publicly, though his actions suggest otherwise.

One thing is certain: the next few months could define not only Konaté’s career but also Liverpool’s defensive future.