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Real Madrid has identified Ibrahima Konate as a potential target this summer.
And the Spanish team has reportedly been informed of the fee it may take to tempt Liverpool into a deal. The French international’s contract at Anfield is due to expire next summer, casting uncertainty over his long-term future. Talks over an extension have already taken place, with Konate admitting earlier this year that Liverpool had presented him with a new offer. However, no agreement has been reached so far.
If a deal remains unsigned, the 26-year-old will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs in January — an opportunity that has attracted interest from both Los Blancos and Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds will reportedly demand $54 million to allow the center-back to leave Anfield this summer. While the Reds are keen to avoid losing more players on free transfers, the club is equally unwilling to accept bargain offers, putting it in a challenging position.
Liverpool is prepared to entertain offers for Konate this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing next year.
However, the player currently holds the upper hand, and there is a growing sense he may let his contract run down and begin talks with other clubs about a free move in the January window.
According to Football Insider's Peter O'Rourke, Liverpool is hesitant to let him go this summer and remains hopeful of securing his future at Anfield, but the situation is causing genuine concern within the club.
"I don’t see a move happening this summer," he told Football Insider. "It would have to be a very good offer from Real Madrid to convince Liverpool to sell Konate, even though they don’t want him to run down his contract.
"You’re probably looking at over at least £40 million to sell him now. I’d imagine Konate will end up staying at Liverpool this summer. The club will hold further talks with him to try and convince him to sign a new contract.
"So the player is in the box seat here, he can stay at Liverpool and talk to interested clubs in January with his contract running down as well. It’s a real worry for Liverpool because they’ve seen Trent Alexander-Arnold leave the club, and they don’t want to see Konate do the same."
Konate joined Liverpool four years ago and has made 132 appearances since. Despite battling several injuries, he has consistently impressed when fit, playing a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League title, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, and other trophy wins.
Liverpool recently avoided losing Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, securing a surprisingly reasonable fee before his move ahead of the Club World Cup. However, the sale was still below his true market value—a scenario the club is keen to avoid with Konate.
The best way to prevent this is by securing Konate on a new contract at Anfield. He continues to perform well under Arne Slot and possesses the qualities needed to eventually lead Liverpool’s defense once Virgil van Dijk retires.
But if a deal cannot be reached, Liverpool faces a tough decision: risk losing him for free once again, possibly to a persistent suitor like Real Madrid.
Unlike the Alexander-Arnold situation, there would be no Club World Cup or other opportunities to recoup any transfer fee this time around.
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