Real Madrid CHANGE their minds over Ibrahima Konate | OneFootball

It’s been a tough few months for Ibrahima Konate.

The Liverpool defender hasn’t been at his best this season - being responsible for numerous individual errors which have cost his team.

The latest shoddy moment came in the weekend draw against Leeds at Elland Road. With the Reds coasting to a 2-0 win, the 26-year-old jumped in on Willy Gnonto recklessly and gave away a penalty.

Leeds duly scored and picked up their momentum - eventually earning a 3-3 Premier League draw.

Konate's contract is expiring

Konate’s drop in standards could not have come at a worse time for the player - with contract negotiations with sporting director Richard Hughes reportedly ongoing.

The France international is out of contract in 2026 - and would in theory be seeking a massive pay rise from his current wage of around £140k per week.

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He will be available to speak to potentially interested clubs in a matter of weeks - and Liverpool could be left with an awkward decision to make.

Right now he isn’t showing the form of a player worth a long-term contract of £200k per week or over. And so if he rejects Liverpool’s attempts to tie him down on the club’s terms then he could be considered for sale in January.

Real Madrid reverse Konate stance

Liverpool could then put the proceeds towards a replacement centre-back - either Marc Guehi or Nico Schlotterbeck.

Defensa Central is now reporting that Real Madrid are set to commit a massive transfer U-turn over Konate - and a bid of €15m in the winter window is being prepared.

Madrid have fallen apart under Xabi Alonso in recent weeks - and defensive totem Eder Militao is now expected to miss several months of action owing to an injury suffered over the weekend.

Los Blancos therefore are ready to reverse their decision NOT to chase Konate - who they’d previously been chasing on a free transfer for summer 2026.

This could represent the ideal opportunity for Liverpool to get an underperforming high-earner off the books and rake in some money they’d miss out on if he left for free.

Once again the decision will come down to the sporting director - who really needs to put the defensive department right having missed out on Guehi last summer.