Real Madrid are ‘Willing to Pay’ £25m to Sign Liverpool Star This Summer – Report | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s Interest in Ibrahima Konaté Adds Summer Twist to Liverpool’s Title Glow

Fresh from reclaiming the Premier League crown under Arne Slot, Liverpool should be basking in celebration. Yet, as reported by Defensa Central, Real Madrid’s transfer manoeuvres are casting an unsettling shadow. Los Blancos, not content with snapping up Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free and beating the Reds to Dean Huijsen, are now eyeing another of Anfield’s prized assets: Ibrahima Konaté.

Madrid are reportedly “willing to pay €30million (£25.2m, $33.7m)” for Konaté. The 25-year-old French international has been integral to Liverpool’s rock-solid defence, forming a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk. With only a year left on his contract and no agreement yet for an extension, the Merseyside club could be forced into a difficult decision.

While Konaté remains under contract until the end of next season, Defensa Central explains Madrid’s plan: “sign Konate on a free transfer next summer,” but they “are ready to make a deal with Liverpool now.”

Photo: IMAGO

Madrid’s Calculated Bid vs Konaté’s Growing Stock

Madrid’s interest appears pragmatic. Having already secured Huijsen, they are still exploring further reinforcements. Their shortlist reportedly includes Cristian Romero (Tottenham) and Jorrel Hato (Ajax), but as Defensa Central highlights, Florentino Pérez “has agreed to pay £25.2m for Romero, Hato or Konate.”

That price point is revealing. Madrid know that Arsenal won’t entertain selling William Saliba at such a figure, making Konaté’s current contract status a tempting window of opportunity. And Madrid are not alone — “PSG like him a lot and Bayern Munich” are also monitoring the situation.

Yet perhaps the most striking endorsement comes from Kylian Mbappé himself, who called Konaté “crazy,” explaining: “on the field, he’s an absolute beast who you don’t want to cross, but outside, he’s a cream, a very cheerful and friendly guy.” That duality is what makes Konaté a magnetic presence in any dressing room.

Liverpool’s Position: Contract or Cash Out?

Journalist Graeme Bailey’s comments to TBR Football offer insight into Liverpool’s internal dilemma:“We really can’t underestimate just how worried Liverpool are by Konate’s situation… It’s a situation that they did inherit to be fair, but it’s also one that they could have maybe got in front of last summer.”

Bailey is blunt in his analysis: “He really has stepped up from being a good Premier League player to being a very very good one.” That step up has brought leverage for Konaté, and Liverpool are now “in a massive quandary.”

Photo: IMAGO

There’s concern the club could repeat the Trent Alexander-Arnold scenario, with Konaté potentially running his contract down. “If a new deal is looking unlikely in the coming weeks then do not rule out the prospect of Liverpool selling Konate this summer,” Bailey warns.

Slot’s Liverpool have already planned to bring in a centre-back this summer. Now, as Bailey suggests, “they might be facing the prospect of maybe having to bring two.”

Can Liverpool Afford to Lose Konaté?

Konaté’s 2024–25 season stats speak volumes: 40 appearances, 2 goals, 2 assists, and countless moments of defensive leadership. He’s been central not just in performance but also in presence. For Slot, who will be determined to build on his debut title win, losing Konaté now would feel like cutting off momentum at its knees.

But £25 million is a modest fee in today’s market — hardly reflecting Konaté’s true value. Whether Liverpool view that as a compromise worth taking, or hold out for either a contract extension or a higher bid, remains to be seen.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This report will undoubtedly rattle Liverpool supporters. For a team fresh off a triumphant league campaign, talk of potentially losing key players feels untimely and unsettling.

Many fans may see this situation as preventable. Why wasn’t a contract offer placed on the table last summer when Konaté was already showing signs of his immense value? Now, with just a year remaining, his agents hold all the cards — and Europe’s biggest clubs are watching closely.

From a fan’s perspective, Konaté is irreplaceable in character and capability. His pace, anticipation, and aggression have brought a defensive assurance reminiscent of peak van Dijk. Arne Slot has crafted a title-winning machine in just one season, but dismantling that core, even partially, could destabilise what comes next.

Selling Konaté for £25m — the same figure quoted for Romero and Hato — would feel like a low return on an elite asset. Fans may expect Liverpool to demand closer to £40–50m if they’re pushed to sell. And let’s not forget: Madrid have deep pockets. If they truly want Konaté, they’ll have to pay for it.

In the end, the club’s ambitions must speak loudest. Slot will want to defend his title, not rebuild from avoidable exits. Liverpool must do everything in their power to secure Konaté’s future, or prepare to make Madrid pay far more than a budget-friendly £25m.