Premier League champion ready to listen to Real Madrid’s offer | OneFootball

Real Madrid continue to see the centre-back department to be one in need of a new long-term signing despite the acquisition of Dean Huijsen.

While Eder Militao has struggled for fitness over the past two years, Raul Asencio’s recent performances do not give much reassurance that he is the one Los Blancos can count on. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, thus, has emerged as a strong option.

Real Madrid do not see it to be an emergency to sign Konate at the moment, however, he is one on their radar for this summer or the next.

The fact that he has just one year left on his contract only shifts the balance in Real Madrid’s favour.

The player’s stance

As relayed in a recent report by MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra), Konate has expressed his willibgness in listening to Real Madrid’s interest despite the Reds’ attempts to renew his contract.

Ibrahima Konate contract expires in 2026. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Needless to say, this comes as big news as it implies that the player is not opposed to a transfer.

Real Madrid, for their part, prefer to sign him as a free agent next summer but that move will largely depend on Konate’s willpower to turn down contract renewal talks for the next 365 days which will not be easy in any capacity.

Liverpool will not make it easy for Real Madrid to sign the player this summer either and will command a large transfer fee for the hypothetical move.

For Real Madrid, however, news of Konate’s openness to negotiate is encouraging and something they will look to capitalise on.

A club that coerced and signed Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Liverpool will certainly back itself to bring in Konate on a similar deal.

Given that the player is still just 26, moreover, he could theoretically serve as a bona fide starter for the next five years at least.