Real Madrid are gearing up for an important summer and several areas of a struggling team will be addressed. That includes in midfield and in defense and some players might even be playing for their futures in the months left of this season.
That isn't the case for Trent Alexander-Arnold despite a dissapointing start to life in Spain for the Englishman. He arrived last summer as a free agent after leaving Liverpool following the expiration of his contract.
Madrid have been weighing up pulling off a similar signing to help deal with their defensive issues. But they seem to have finally come to a decision over potentially bringing Ibrahima Konate to the Estadio Bernabeu.
Real Madrid not in contact with Liverpool star
Mario Cortegana of The Athletic reports that Madrid haven't been in any pre-contract talks with potential free agents. That includes Konate and they informed Liverpool that they weren't interested in signing the French defender.
Konate's stock has fallen this season amid an unconvincing campaign which has been a major issue for the Reds. He has gone from being one of the Premier League's most celebrated center-backs and become a vulnerabilty at times.
The 26-year-old has made 32 appearances across competitions and failed to replicate the form that helped his side win the Premier League last season. He was particularly poor in a 2-2 draw against Fulham back in January and club legend Jamie Carragher took aim at him while speaking on Sky Sports (via TEAMtalk):
"I’m sick of seeing it all the time, lazy defending from centre-backs, not just Liverpool, right throughout the Premier League. Harry Wilson does not make that run if Konate’s across and [Virgil] van Dijk’s across."
Konate's potential availability on a free transfer was enticing given his performances at Anfield before this season. But moving for a player who is currently struggling would be the wrong move and that's not factoring in his contract demands.
How much does Konate want?
Konate has been with Liverpool since the summer of 2021 when he arrived from RB Leipzig. He starred under Jurgen Klopp and formed a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool are thought to still be in discussions with the French center-back about a possible extension but his contract demands are proving problematic. CaughtOffside reported last summer that he is asking for around £200,000 per week.
Given his disappointing displays this season, it doesn't seem reasonable to hand him such a hefty salary. Madrid do have other options to strengthen in defense and the likes of Borussia Dortmund's left-footed German Nico Schlotterbeck feels a better fit.