Ibrahima Konate has been a long-term target for Real Madrid, just like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The two from Liverpool have been pursued by Real Madrid for a long time, and while the Englishman is signed on a free (Madrid paid a nominal fee to get him a few months early), the Frenchman is soon to follow.
As his contract at Merseyside runs till 2026, Madrid had planned to approach the signing in the next summer transfer window when Konate would become a free agent.
Konate knows of this interest and has consequently refused multiple contract renewal offers from Liverpool, which has agitated the fans and the management of the club on multiple levels.
They fear a situation similar to Trent’s, which is exactly what Madrid have planned. And Liverpool do not want that to happen again.
So, Liverpool are clear with Konate: sign a contract extension or leave this summer for a fee. And this has turned a lot of things in favour of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid may sign Konate a year sooner than they had planned
According to a story from Diario AS, the roadmap for Real Madrid to sign Konate was set for 2026 when David Alaba would be released at the end of his contract, which also runs down that year. But Liverpool’s ultimatum to Konate has changed things significantly.
The story says that Liverpool have set a price tag of 50 million for the player, which Real Madrid are paying no heed to. It must be noted that Liverpool are desperate to get some fee for Konate, and time is running out. They are not in an advantageous position here.
As time passes, the asking price will decline rapidly. And that is when Madrid can act.
If a bid for Alaba arrives, which is very unlikely, seeing the player’s form, or a significant sale is made, something like Rodrygo’s, which injects sufficient money into Madrid’s purse, Los Blancos will strongly consider signing Konate this summer instead of the next.
The story predicts that by that time, the asking price can come down to 20 to 25 million. No more than that.