Bayern Munich eyeing move for Real Madrid defensive target; Liverpool open to January sale | OneFootball

The summer of 2026 could see a transfer merry-go-round, especially among a select set of defenders.

Indeed, defenders such as Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Marc Guehi could become hot prospects next summer as they could be available as free agents.

Real Madrid, who have been linked with a move for all three, have been keen on signing Konate for the longest time.

Bayern Munich eye move for Konate

However, according to Diario AS, Bayern Munich are also closely monitoring the situation of Konate, whose contract at Liverpool expires at the end of the season.

The Reds have reportedly tabled a renewal offer for the French international, but nothing has come out of it yet.

Will Konate join Bayern Munich next season, or will Real Madrid sabotage the deal? (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Real Madrid, for their part, are keeping an eye on the situation as well, as Konate has been identified as an excellent addition to the club’s defensive line.

What is interesting, however, is that Bayern are presumably targeting Konate as a replacement for Upamecano, who is a target for Real Madrid as well.

In fact, Upamecano’s name has been associated with Real Madrid far more often than Konate in recent weeks.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are trying to pressurise Konate to sign a contract extension. But if he declines, the club will try to push a sale in the upcoming January transfer window.

This could play into the hands of Bayern Munich, who wouldn’t mind paying for a new defender in January, whereas Real Madrid have adopted a strict policy of not signing major players in the winter transfer window.

Liverpool plan to utilise the proceeds of the Konate sale to fund a move for Marc Guehi, another Real Madrid target.