Real Madrid make Konate move | OneFootball

Madrid’s Defensive Calculus Turns Towards Konaté

Real Madrid’s long-term defensive planning has been subtly reshaped by William Saliba’s new Arsenal contract. As ESPN, the France international’s extension until 2027 has shut one door and forced another to creak open — with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté now under consideration.

Saliba’s Renewal and Madrid’s Adjustment

Saliba was not just another option; he was viewed as the archetype of the next Madrid centre-back. “Madrid viewed Saliba as fulfilling all the criteria for a suitable signing,” ESPN wrote. That he will now stay at Arsenal until at least 2027 is a genuine strategic setback for the Bernabéu.

It means Madrid’s gaze has shifted, reluctantly, to Konaté. His contract at Anfield runs down next summer, making him the sort of pragmatic move Florentino Pérez has grown to cherish: free transfers of elite footballers. Rüdiger, Alaba, Mbappé — all were expressions of the same policy.

Yet this is where the comparison falters. ESPN made clear “there is some internal debate within the club over a move for Konaté, 26.” Unlike Alexander-Arnold, whose candidacy united the Madrid hierarchy, Konaté has produced division.

Konaté, Lukeba and Madrid’s Depth Puzzle

The hesitation is revealing. Konaté is formidable at his best — quick, commanding, an asset in transitions — but his fitness record remains a nagging doubt. Madrid, for all their glamour, are not immune to pragmatism. That is why other names, like RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba, are on the shortlist.

Photo: IMAGO

The wider issue is squad balance. ESPN noted “coach Xabi Alonso sometimes favours a back three,” which requires a deeper pool of centre-backs. Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen and Raúl Asencio are already there, but the potential exits of Alaba and Rüdiger leave gaps to be filled.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, the Madrid link with Konaté is almost predictable — part of the cycle where Europe’s heavyweights attempt to prise away Anfield’s core. The Frenchman has long been seen as Virgil van Dijk’s heir, not merely a partner, and in that sense represents a long-term investment rather than a player to be allowed to drift away.

It is telling that ESPN emphasised Madrid’s hesitation: “there is not the same degree of unanimity inside the club over Konaté as there was in the case of Alexander-Arnold.” That should be encouragement to Liverpool supporters. If Madrid cannot agree internally, Liverpool still have the advantage — but only if they act.

This story is as much about Liverpool’s future as Madrid’s. Allowing Konaté to leave on a free would be negligent. Securing him on new terms would reinforce the defensive structure for the coming years, particularly with Van Dijk in the later stages of his career.