Madrid prepare £25m move as Liverpool battle to keep key figure | OneFootball

Real Madrid Interest Puts Pressure on Liverpool over Konate Contract Talks

Madrid monitor Konate as Liverpool face crucial decision

Liverpool are once again facing the uncomfortable glare of Real Madrid’s recruitment machine. After watching Trent Alexander-Arnold depart for the Bernabéu on a free transfer, there is now a growing concern that Ibrahima Konate could follow a similar route out of Anfield.

Photo: IMAGO

According to Football Insider, Real Madrid are plotting a move for the French defender, with an audacious £25 million bid potentially on the table. Sources suggest that the Spanish giants would prefer to wait and sign the centre-back on a free in 2026, mirroring their strategy with Alexander-Arnold.

Photo: IMAGO

However, Liverpool are determined not to repeat past mistakes. “Liverpool will be desperate to avoid a situation where Konate could walk out of Anfield on a free in 2026,” said senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke.

Contract extension now a key priority

With just one year remaining on Konate’s current deal, the club’s hierarchy, led by Richard Hughes, are accelerating efforts to tie the 26-year-old down to a new long-term contract.

Football Insider previously reported in April that Konate’s extension had become a priority. That urgency has only intensified following renewed interest from Spain. Liverpool are said to value Konate at £40 million and are reluctant to part ways with a player considered vital to the club’s defensive structure.

“Real Madrid are smart in the transfer market, they’ll try to sign these top players on free transfers,” O’Rourke added. “They’ll probably put in a cheeky offer of around £25million, but that’s not going to be enough to get him.”

Liverpool stance clear amid external pressure

Liverpool’s position is unambiguous. The club have no intention of allowing Konate to leave this summer unless a significant offer is made. With Real Madrid’s strategy relying on patience and calculated timing, Liverpool must respond with clarity and purpose.

The defender is currently in what O’Rourke described as “the box position,” giving him leverage to assess his options while negotiations continue. Madrid know this. They also know that the longer a deal drags on without resolution, the more vulnerable Liverpool become.

Having already seen one core player depart without financial compensation, the fear of history repeating itself is understandable.

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There is a creeping sense of déjà vu building among Liverpool supporters, and rightly so. The Trent departure was painful, but at least there was a collective understanding that his time had come. To lose Ibrahima Konate in the same fashion would be utterly negligent.

This is a 26-year-old centre-back entering his prime, one of the few defenders in Europe with the blend of pace, strength and composure required to operate in Liverpool’s high line. The idea that such a player could be allowed to enter the final stretch of his contract without resolution is baffling.

Yes, Madrid are smart. Yes, they know how to wait. But Liverpool have a responsibility to learn. Letting Konate’s situation drift into the January danger zone would be a catastrophic misstep. Supporters have seen the cycle before, and it rarely ends well when proactive steps are delayed.

What is even more frustrating is that this situation is entirely avoidable. Liverpool have had ample time to resolve Konate’s future, and now find themselves playing catch-up against the most efficient operators in world football.

This is not about resisting Madrid. It is about acting like a club with serious ambition and structure. Resolve it. Quickly.