Real Madrid rule out move for soon-to-be-free Liverpool defensive mainstay | OneFootball

In a major development, David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Real Madrid have decided not to pursue the signing of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.

The French international was one of the centre-backs that the Merengues were considering to strengthen their backline next summer.

Konate’s contract situation at Liverpool was a major reason for the same, as his deal runs out at the end of the season and he would become available as a free agent.

However, as per the aforementioned report, Real Madrid have informed Liverpool that they have no interest in signing their defensive mainstay. The same has now been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano as well.

Real Madrid did have Konate on their shortlist for defensive reinforcements for the longest time.

Konate to Real Madrid off. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

But, of late, doubts had been growing about the Frenchman after some of his questionable performances in the ongoing campaign.

Now, the Spanish capital club have decided to pull the plug on the operation completely, and have ‘directly and unequivocally’ informed Liverpool of the same, states Ornstein.

With Konate ruled out, his compatriot Dayot Upamecano, who finds himself in a similar contract situation at Bayern Munich, is likely to be Real Madrid’s main target to reinforce the centre-back position in 2026.

Other names such as Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck have also been mentioned as potential targets for the Merengues for the summer.

As for Konate, Liverpool are still in negotiations with his camp over a new contract, and it remains to be seen whether he renews, now that the option of Real Madrid is off the table.