Ibrahima Konate will leave Liverpool when his contract expires this summer, but he has wasted no time finding his next club as Real Madrid close in on a free transfer.
Konate will leave Liverpool this summer (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
It has been confirmed that Ibrahima Konate will leave Liverpool when his contract expires this summer and is in talks to join Real Madrid.
The defender has been in talks with the Reds all season over a potential extension, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement, meaning Konate will end his five years at Anfield and open the door for a free move elsewhere.
The Telegraph reported that Real is Konate’s first-choice transfer destination after another titleless season, and that a move is expected to materialize if Florentino Perez is re-elected as club president.
Back in April, the French defender claimed he was “close to a deal” and suggested he was keen to remain at Anfield. However, it was revealed last week that he was unable to reach an agreement and would be stepping down.
Konate has endured a chaotic 2025-26 season, with some experts suggesting speculation surrounding his contract is affecting his performance. Arne Slott publicly criticized the defender, but he has since improved his performances and remains a regular starter alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Konate’s departure from Anfield will be offset by the arrival of highly-rated young defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. A deal was agreed in January for Liverpool to pay up to £60 million for the player. They also signed Giovanni Leoni last summer, but he suffered a season-ending injury on his debut.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will actively pursue a replacement for Konate, given their current resources and impending arrival. That decision could be left to whoever replaces Slott, who was fired last week. Andoni Iraola is currently the frontrunner to replace the Dutchman.
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid from Liverpool last summer (Image: Angel Perez Meca/Europa Press via Getty Images)
The Spanish giants have a track record of signing big names for free. A few years ago, they acquired long-term target Kylian Mbappé for free when his contract with PSG ended. Last summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold moved from Liverpool to Madrid, but they paid a fee of £10 million to sign him in advance.
Real are set for a summer of change after manager Jose Mourinho agreed to return for a second time as manager. Several big names have been linked with a move away from the Bernabéu, including Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Choameny.
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