Real Madrid are already pressing ahead with their plans for the summer transfer window and have a Liverpool player in their sights. No signings were made in January which is the norm for the La Liga club.
The refusal to do any business means an injury crisis taking hold at the Estadio Bernabeu wasn't addressed. The defense is in particular need of strengthening and David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger could both depart when their contracts expre in June.
Madrid ruled out a move for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate months ago after previously eyeing the Frenchman. But the situation has now changed and he looks to be back on the agenda.
Real Madrid make offer for Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate
Konate's contract expires at the end of the season and he will become a free agent. Madrid have been able to contact the player since last month as players whose deals are up in six months time can speak to clubs from abroad.
According to Nicolo Schira, not only have Los Blancos been in contact with Konate but they have made him a contract offer. They are "pushing to sign him as a free agent in July."
A five-year deal is thought to be on the table for the French defender who hasn't enjoyed the best of seasons at Anfield. His form has been a concern and he's made 31 appearances, scoring two goals.
Konate was reportedly demanding wages of £200,000 (around €230,000) to extend his stay in England with the Merseysiders. If Madrid were offering him this amount of money this would make him the 13th highest earner at the Bernabeu, per Capology.
Those wages aren't exactly astronomical given how much others earn at the club. But signing a player who is enduring a dissapointing campaign is a concern and speaks volumes of Los Blancos' questionable recruitment.
Another defender must be signed
Konate can't be Madrid's only defensive signing not least because of his struggles this season. But the team's constant injury setbacks have been a major disruption in defense.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been forced to play as a makeshift center-back when the likes of Rudiger and Alaba have been sidelined. Both of those veteran stars could be departing when their contracts expire.
Konate could and should be one of two replacements who arrive at the Bernabeu. A left-footed defender is needed and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck has been linked amid an impressive season in Germany.