Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid have opted against pursuing Liverpool defensive mainstay Ibrahima Konate this summer.
According to a report from DefensaCentral, Ibrahima Konate won’t be joining Real Madrid for the 2025/26 season, as Los Blancos have ruled out the possibility of signing the Liverpool mainstay this summer. However, they could still look to secure his services in 2026 on a free transfer.
Konate hasn’t looked back since joining the Merseyside club from RB Leipzig back in 2021. He has only gone from strength to strength and has been one of their mainstays in the recent past. While he is an integral part of Arne Slot’s plans, his future has been up in the air with his contract running out in 2026.
The Reds are keen on securing his long-term future with a new deal, but things haven’t gone according to plan for them. Real Madrid are well aware of the situation, and they consider Konate an ideal fit to reinforce their backline.
Ideally, they would like to add him to their squad next summer, when he might be available for free. However, certain reports suggested Alonso was still keen on signing another centre-back despite the arrival of Dean Huijsen.
They were very interested in signing Konate, and with a new deal nowhere in sight, Liverpool could have sanctioned his departure for a bargain price. But recent developments at Real Madrid suggest Konate won’t be joining them this summer.
Konate won’t be joining Real Madrid this summer
As per the report, Los Blancos have closed the squad for this season. They won’t be making any moves. While that could change if Rodrygo Goes ends up leaving, they still won’t be pushing for another central defender.
Eder Militao’s convincing performance in yesterday’s friendly has impressed everyone at the club. They believe he can return to his best despite suffering two ACL injuries; as a result, the door for Konate’s signing is now completely closed.
While they have ruled out the Frenchman’s arrival this summer, they would welcome him with open arms as a free agent next year if his contract at Liverpool runs down. The Reds will certainly want to avoid such a scenario, having similarly lost Trent Alexander-Arnold.
