Real Madrid have ruled out moves for French defensive duo in 2026 | OneFootball

Real Madrid will enter the market for defensive reinforcements in the summer of 2026, given that David Alaba is likely to leave and Antonio Rudiger’s future is uncertain.

The Merengues are once again keeping an eye on the free transfer market for possible targets, with links to the French duo of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano doing the rounds heavily for weeks now.

No move for Upamecano, Konate

However, according to the latest update from Rodra of ESPN, Real Madrid have all but ruled out signing either Konate or Upamecano at this point.

Konate’s contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the ongoing season and he will be a free agent in the summer.

At one point, the French international seemed to be at the top of the wishlist for Real Madrid, but his performances this season have seemingly discouraged Real Madrid from going after him.

No longer a top target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)

Upamecano, too, finds himself in a similar situation at Bayern Munich as Konate at Liverpool with regard to his contract.

However, a move for the towering defender appears no longer to be on the table as talks over a new deal are progressing between him and the German champions. Indeed, a renewal agreement is understood to be close, with some finer details to be ironed out.

As such, Real Madrid no longer seem to be chasing moves for either Konate or Upamecano for the summer of 2026.

Instead, names like Nico Schlotterbeck and Jeremy Jacquet are gaining weight within the club as potential targets.