Report: Madrid plan another free transfer raid as Liverpool face contract strain | OneFootball

Madrid Circling Again as Liverpool Face Contract Crisis Over Konaté

Liverpool’s Contract Woes Continue

As Liverpool fans grapple with the looming departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, another defensive dilemma has emerged. Real Madrid, never shy in the transfer market, are reportedly ready to repeat their well-trodden trick: wait out Ibrahima Konaté’s contract and pounce with a lucrative free-agent deal.

According to Marca, Konaté is firmly on Madrid’s radar. His current deal runs until 2026, but there’s a chilling familiarity to this storyline. Just like Kylian Mbappé, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger before him, Konaté could be the next high-profile free transfer heading to the Bernabéu.

“Other names that have appeared on the Real Madrid horizon are Konaté and Saliba, but the two French internationals belong to that group of players that Real Madrid is monitoring and that are waiting for the end of their contracts to approach, a circumstance that will happen in the summer of 2026 for the Liverpool centre-back, and in 2027 for the Arsenal defender,”

Madrid’s Patience Could Cost Liverpool Dearly

The Spanish giants are unwilling to meet the €100 million valuation they’ve internally placed on either Konaté or Arsenal’s William Saliba. Instead, they are prepared to wait—and lure the players with hefty signing-on fees and monster salaries once their contracts dwindle to their final months.

Liverpool, already stung by the impending loss of Alexander-Arnold on a Bosman move, are at a crossroads. Konaté reportedly wants a wage hike from £140,000 to £200,000 per week. For a player who cost £35m in 2021 and has shown elite potential, it’s a decision that tests both financial strategy and footballing ambition.

Time Ticking for Richard Hughes

Sporting director Richard Hughes is in a pressure cooker. Negotiations must accelerate, or Liverpool risk seeing yet another cornerstone of their squad walk out the door. The Trent situation has already drawn criticism, and allowing Konaté’s contract to run dangerously close to expiry would be another strategic failure.

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Future Under Threat

With reports also linking Real Madrid to Spanish youngster Dean Huijsen, and continued interest in Saliba and Konaté, it’s clear that the Spanish club are retooling for the future—without spending upfront. For Liverpool, losing both their right-back talisman and a key centre-half in quick succession would be a major blow to their evolving project under Arne Slot.

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For Liverpool supporters, this saga feels like déjà vu. The wounds from Gini Wijnaldum’s departure never fully healed. Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino—now Trent Alexander-Arnold. All have left, or are leaving, for free or underwhelming fees. The idea of Konaté joining that list feels like another self-inflicted wound.

This isn’t just about wages—it’s about value. Konaté has blossomed into a defensive force. His aerial strength, pace, and anticipation are exactly what Real Madrid crave. If Liverpool don’t act decisively, they’re not just losing a player—they’re losing the spine of a future defence.

And here’s the other concern: what message does it send? If players of Konaté’s calibre see contract situations mishandled repeatedly, faith in the club’s long-term planning may waver. The club simply cannot afford to let this play out like the Trent scenario. If Madrid are waiting, Liverpool must move first.