Liverpool Expect £35m Star to Join Real Madrid – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Braced for Ibrahima Konate’s Real Madrid Switch

Liverpool find themselves once again grappling with a familiar storyline, one that echoes too closely the recent departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. According to Marca, the Reds now consider Ibrahima Konate’s proposed move to Real Madrid next summer as a ‘done deal’.

The Frenchman’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign and with talks stalling, Real Madrid have wasted no time in making first contact over a potential transfer. It leaves Liverpool facing a scenario they had worked hard to avoid, watching another high-value player walk away for free.

Growing Frustration Around Contract Stand-off

Negotiations between Liverpool and Konate have been ongoing for several months but without significant progress. The club’s hierarchy had been keen to tie him down to fresh terms, yet the defender has shown little appetite to extend. His silence on the matter has only increased concerns at Anfield.

Konate has been a committed performer since arriving in 2021 for £35m and even amid a patchy start this season, he has recovered form and demonstrated his quality. Losing him would not only weaken Liverpool defensively but also strip away a player still in the prime years of his career.

“Talks continue to stall between Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate, and the Frenchman’s overall silence on the matter is concerning.”

Photo: IMAGO

Real Madrid Confident of Success

Real Madrid’s interest is nothing new. They have tracked Konate for some time and with his contract winding down, confidence has grown in their camp. Marca report that Madrid are optimistic about sealing the deal, and Liverpool’s own acceptance of the situation suggests the balance of power has shifted firmly towards Spain.

“Now, according to a recent report from MARCA, Real Madrid have made first contact with Konate surrounding a potential move.”

For Liverpool, the challenge is whether to cash in during January or allow him to run down his deal. At this stage, the latter seems more probable. Reports suggest there is no appetite to revisit a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in January, despite the collapse of a £35 million deadline day deal.

Defensive Dilemma Ahead

Arne Slot, who steered Liverpool to a Premier League title in his first season, will face a testing few months. With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and youngster Giovanni Leoni as current alternatives, the Reds’ backline could soon look short of depth should Konate leave without a successor in place.

“It remains to be seen whether Liverpool attempt to strike a deal with Real Madrid in January for Ibrahima Konate as they look to get some money for the defender.”

The reluctance to make mid-season signings points towards Liverpool bracing themselves for a free transfer exit next summer. That decision will divide supporters, who may feel the club has not acted decisively enough in protecting the squad’s long-term stability.

Long-term Implications

If Konate departs without a replacement lined up, Liverpool risk weakening a defensive unit that has underpinned their recent success. With rivals strengthening and the margin for error at the top of the Premier League razor-thin, any drop in quality could prove costly.

The echoes of Alexander-Arnold’s departure are difficult to ignore. For a club that has prided itself on strategic planning in recruitment, the idea of losing consecutive stars in similar fashion is a worrying trend.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

As Liverpool fans, this report from Marca is deeply frustrating. Konate is a cornerstone of our defence, and to lose him for nothing after years of investment feels like a self-inflicted wound. The club knew about this situation for months, yet here we are again, seemingly powerless to stop another top player walking away.

We were promised lessons would be learned after the Alexander-Arnold saga, but little has changed. Slot has done miracles already, delivering the title in his first season, but even he will struggle to keep us competitive if the squad is being eroded. Van Dijk is still world-class, but he cannot go on forever. Joe Gomez is versatile but inconsistent, and while Giovanni Leoni has huge potential, relying on him too early could backfire.

The collapse of the Marc Guehi deal on deadline day now looks even more damaging. The fact that Liverpool will not return for him in January sends the wrong message. Why would we stand still when the biggest clubs in Europe are moving forward?

We are on the cusp of repeating history. Allowing Konate to leave on a free undermines the recruitment model that has defined our rise. It also signals to other players that contracts can be run down with little consequence. If Liverpool want to remain at the very top, the board needs to be ruthless, not reactive.