Real Madrid will be signing at least one new defender this summer and there is a new twist involving Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate. The French center-back has been linked with Los Blancos for a year now due to his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Konate has bounced back from a difficult start to the campaign when he was perhaps distracted by speculation over his future. The Frenchman's contract situation is still up in the air as he has yet to agree to an extension with the Premier League club.
A new report from Matteo Moretto of Radio MARCA claims that Madrid have been back in contact with Konate's agent. They have asked about his situation and he is now on their radar again.
Konate saga continues
It's a new development in a lengthy saga over the 26-year-old's future given Madrid previously ruled out moving for him. The La Liga giants were set to look at other options including Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano.
Konate's French compatriot is no longer an option as he's signed a new deal with Bayern. Another alternative is Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and reports claim Los Blancos are in pole position to sign the German.
That said, Madrid's indecisiveness over moving for Konate speaks volumes of a lack of clear planning from the recruitment team. To be constantly stalling over his potential signing is a concern and highlights the need for the transfer chiefs to make better decisions in the market.
Konate has plenty of experience and has formed a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool. But this season has been a bad one for the Frenchman who has struggled with error-prone performances that have even resulted in his club's fanbase accepting his exit.
Real Madrid's ridiculous transfer planning
The former RB Leipzig man has made 37 appearances across competitons, contributing two goals. He was branded "lazy" by club legend Jamie Carragher and the jury is out on whether he'd be a success at the Bernabeu.
Madrid need to get their act together and make a definitive decision over Konate as this summer will be crucial. A new manager is likely to arrive and replace Alvaro Arbeloa and that might just be the player's former coach Jurgen Klopp.
Konate's availability is enticing as he'll arrive for free if he decides to leave Liverpool. He could follow Trent Alexander-Arnold to the Spanish capital and form a new backline heading into next season.