Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly keen on signing 26-year-old Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in Ibrahima Konate. The two Premier League giants have initiated their moves to sign Liverpool defender by holding preliminary talks. Meanwhile, other European heavyweights like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are also keen on completing a Bosman move for the 26-year-old ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Ibrahima Konate and his situation
Ibrahima Konate has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining Liverpool from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £36 million in July 2021. The 26-year-old has made significant progress in the last four and a half years, forging a formidable central defensive partnership with Virgil van Dijk. However, the player has not been at his best in the 2025/26 season, and his already frustrating contract situation has led to vocal outrage from Liverpool fans.
The French international has made over 150 appearances for Liverpool thus far while chipping in with seven goals and four assists. However, Konate’s long-term future is uncertain, as he has entered the final six months of his contract with the Merseyside outfit. The situation has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.
A man in demand
It is unclear why Manchester City have set their sights on the Frenchman. Pep Guardiola has a stacked central defensive unit after signing Marc Guehi, with the former Barcelona manager also having Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol in his squad. So, even though John Stones and Nathan Ake are closing in on leaving Manchester City, they do not need another centre-back.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s interest in Ibrahima Konate makes sense. The Blues have been scouring the market for a long-term central defensive partner for Levi Colwill for a long time. Konate has thus emerged as a viable target, as he is a right-footed centre-back who will complement the left-footed Colwill at the heart of the defence. Konate can be Axel Disasi’s long-term future, with his compatriot having no future at Chelsea.
As for Real Madrid, the Merengues are scouring the market for a centre-back, as David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger are on the wrong side of 30. Additionally, Eder Militao has struggled with fitness issues in the last three seasons. So, Konate is an option worth considering, with Real Madrid considering a bargain move for the 26-year-old Frenchman.
Recent reports have claimed that Konate has “mentally closed the book” on his spell with Liverpool. So, with contract talks between the two parties not going anywhere, Chelsea and Manchester City will hope to seal a Bosman deal after initiating talks over a summer move for the French international.
