If one thing is evident from Xabi Alonso's first transfer window as Real Madrid head coach, it is that he has a major defensive reshape on his mind heading into his first season in charge.
The club has signed four players so far this summer, with three of them being defenders, those three being Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the newly signed Alvaro Carreras.
It was evident in the dying days of Carlo Ancelotti's tenure that the defense needed some reinforcements, but after Real Madrid's embarrassing 4-0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup semifinals, fixing the backline became priority number one.
Real Madrid still need new players
There have been a number of new defenders linked with Real Madrid over the last few months, but there is one in particular the club desperately wants and the could be ready to pay for him now instead of waiting till next summer as originally planned.
As being reported by AS, Real Madrid are willing to pay between €20-€25 million for Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman is out of contract with Liverpool in 2026, and the Premier League side wants at least €50 million for him should he be sold this summer.
Real have long been admirers of Konate and their plan all along has been to wait till next summer to sign him for free. However, with the defensive overhaul that is desperately needed before the new season starts, the club may need to splash the cash now to sure up their backline.
Liverpool hope they can convince Konate to extend during the season, but the player has already rejected two new contract offers from the reigning Premier League champions. As a result, Arne Slot's side only has two options, either except Real's offer of €25 million or lose the player for free next summer, just as they did Trent Alexander-Arnold.