Florentino Perez finalises agreement with Liverpool star ahead of free transfer – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid appear to have taken a significant step towards strengthening their defence, with reports from Radioestadio Noche claiming that Florentino Perez has already finalised an agreement with Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate.

The French international is set to leave Anfield after deciding against signing a new contract, opening the door for a high-profile free transfer. 

While Real Madrid have yet to make anything official, the latest reports suggest that Perez’s election campaign has already secured a breakthrough in negotiations with the defender, who is now preparing for the next chapter of his career.

Liverpool chapter ends

Konate has decided against extending his stay at Liverpool despite negotiations progressing positively not long ago.

For a period, an agreement between the player and the Premier League club appeared close. 

In fact, renewal talks were moving in the right direction, and there was growing confidence that the French international would remain at Anfield. 

However, the situation changed in the final stages of negotiations, as financial differences are believed to have played a decisive role in the collapse of discussions. 

With Liverpool already preparing alternative options in defence, the Premier League club was not willing to significantly alter their position, leading to a breakdown in talks.

As a result, Konate is now set to leave and become available on a free transfer. 

Agreement with Perez

That situation naturally makes him one of the most attractive opportunities on the market, particularly for clubs looking to strengthen without committing to a major transfer fee.

Perez has an agreement with Konate. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Real Madrid have been monitoring the defender’s situation closely and reports now suggest that Perez’s camp may already have made significant progress towards securing the player’s signature.

The interest from Real Madrid is easy to understand, as strengthening the centre-back position remains one of the club’s priorities.

Konate offers a profile that fits many of the requirements Madrid are looking for. 

At 27, he combines experience at the highest level with physical strength, pace and strong defensive instincts. 

Perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to sign a player of his calibre without paying a transfer fee represents exactly the type of market operation that has often appealed to Florentino Perez.