Liverpool may be facing another high-profile contract standoff, this time involving French centre-back Ibrahima Konaté. With just one year left on his current deal, the 25-year-old has yet to reach an agreement on an extension, despite repeated offers from the Anfield club. The situation has drawn increased attention from Real Madrid, who are reportedly keeping a close eye on developments.
Déjà Vu for Liverpool?
The uncertainty surrounding Konaté’s future comes just weeks after the Reds lost long-serving right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid in a shock free transfer. Now, the Spanish giants are reportedly considering a similar approach for Konaté — either luring him away on a cut-price deal this summer or waiting until his contract runs down in 2026.
Spanish media, including MARCA and AS, suggest that Konaté has informed Liverpool officials he hasn’t ruled out a move to the Bernabéu. Meanwhile, reports from Diario Sport claim that Los Blancos are prepared to use Brazilian forward Rodrygo as a potential bargaining chip to sweeten a deal, should Liverpool agree to negotiate.
While that swap scenario remains speculative, Liverpool’s interest in Rodrygo has been noted, and the idea of leveraging him in negotiations isn’t completely off the table — especially if Konaté makes clear he won’t sign a new deal.
Real Madrid’s Defensive Rebuild: Patience or Push?
After a disappointing 4-0 loss to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final, Real Madrid’s defensive line has come under renewed scrutiny. Veterans like Antonio Rüdiger have faced criticism, and while youngsters like Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio show promise, there’s still uncertainty over whether Madrid’s backline has the depth and reliability needed for a full campaign.
Xabi Alonso, now in charge at the Bernabéu, reportedly views Konaté as a long-term asset — but he is not expected to push for an immediate move unless Liverpool drop their asking price. According to AS, the Merseyside club value the centre-back at around €50 million (£43m), while Madrid are only willing to pay between €20–25 million at most.
This echoes the recent saga with Alexander-Arnold, where Madrid initially hoped to wait until his contract expired but ended up paying a fee to bring him in early. The experience has left the Spanish side cautious, yet quietly confident they can eventually sign Konaté — if not now, then next summer.
Liverpool’s Dilemma: Sell Now or Risk Losing Him for Free
Liverpool, under new head coach Arne Slot, are eager to avoid another high-profile exit without compensation. Losing Alexander-Arnold on a free has already been a major blow, both on and off the pitch. Allowing Konaté to follow the same path would raise serious questions about the club’s contract management strategy.
While Konaté remains an important figure in Liverpool’s defensive setup, reports suggest that the club is already exploring alternatives. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi has been mentioned as a potential target, though securing a replacement of Konaté’s calibre will be no easy task.
Should Konaté refuse to extend, a summer sale — even at a lower-than-expected fee — might be Liverpool’s best course of action to avoid a repeat scenario. But with no formal bid yet on the table and Real Madrid in no rush, the situation remains fluid.
What’s Next?
All eyes will be on pre-season developments. If Konaté returns to training without any signs of renewal, pressure will mount on Liverpool to act decisively. Meanwhile, Real Madrid appear content to wait — a strategy that has already worked once this summer.
As always, caution is advised when interpreting transfer stories driven by Spanish press sources, which often reflect club-driven narratives more than confirmed developments. Nonetheless, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire — and Konaté’s future is very much up in the air.
