For most of this decade, Real Madrid have looked at free agent signings as necessary plots for the present and future. In 2021, it was David Alaba.
Real Madrid then brought in Antonio Rudiger in 2022, Kylian Mbappe in 2024 and Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2025.
These have been some really good deals for the club, and hopefully the Trent one is, too. The fact that these have been such resounding successes makes Real Madrid want to keep doing it.
Real Madrid have been linked with quite a few names in the future that share the same contract situation as some of the ones that joined in these last few years.
William Saliba has been linked with a move, and his contract expires in 2027. However, Real Madrid have planned their next free agent target, per report.
Real Madrid’s next free agent target might be a risky bet
According to a report from MARCA, Real Madrid want Ibrahima Konate next summer as part of their free agent strategy.
There have been multiple names that have been mentioned in that vain, but Konate has become the chosen one, and it remains to be seen what the club is able to do with him.
Honestly, as much as I like Konate - and I do, I really do - the only problem I have with him is his fitness. Konate's track record of injuries is not the most impressive.
He is, without a doubt, one of the best in the business at what he does. But, at Real Madrid, you need to be able to play a lot of games, while also covering a lot of ground as a defender.
Konate's fitness will be put to the test, and I am no expert, but strictly judging his past record, it is not the best.
This season, though, Konate did not get injured much. So, that is a good sign. If Real Madrid actually want to sign him, it would be best to keep an eye out for his injury record over the course of next season before they make a decision.