Real Madrid plot long-term move after Liverpool set high price | OneFootball

Liverpool Send Firm Message to Madrid with €70m Konaté Price Tag

Madrid Interest Met with Defiance

There was always a certain inevitability about Real Madrid turning their attention to Anfield this summer. After securing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free and pipping Liverpool to Dean Huijsen, the Spanish champions have now expressed interest in Ibrahima Konaté. But as Defensa Central reports, Madrid have been met with a very firm answer: no deal.

Photo: IMAGO

Madrid, guided by new boss Xabi Alonso, have reportedly set their sights on Konaté after cooling their pursuit of Arsenal’s William Saliba. However, Liverpool’s stance has left them frustrated. The response from Anfield is clear: it will cost €70 million (£59 million) to prise the Frenchman away, and even that may not be enough.

Madrid’s verdict? “It is impossible now.”

Contract Situation and Player’s Response

Konaté’s current deal runs until summer 2026. Though the club would ideally tie him down to a new long-term contract, the situation has become a talking point amid Madrid’s interest.

Speaking over the weekend, Konaté cleared the air. “Everything you saw on social media is completely fake,” he said. “They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.”

He continued: “We will see what will happen. First thing, I am very happy because we have won the Premier League trophy and we lifted it today.”

Photo: IMAGO

While contract talks are not progressing rapidly, Konaté’s remarks are far from those of a player looking for a move. “To win a trophy, even when I won my first trophy with Liverpool, the FA Cup, was just amazing. And today, to win the Premier League… I have a lot of objectives with this club: to become a leader, to win everything. I am very happy here.”

Real Madrid’s Transfer Strategy Adjusts

Madrid may have accepted the short-term reality regarding Konaté, but they are playing the long game. With the 26-year-old’s deal set to expire in 2026, there’s a belief in the Bernabéu boardroom that a free transfer might be possible next summer.

That gamble has worked before. But in this case, Liverpool are working behind the scenes to secure a new deal, aware that the player’s value will only increase.

Importance of Keeping Defensive Stability

Konaté’s partnership with Virgil van Dijk was crucial in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph. In a backline adapting to life without Joel Matip and integrating younger names, Konaté became the fulcrum beside the captain.

Photo: IMAGO

The Frenchman’s athleticism, anticipation and dominance in the air make him one of the most complete centre-backs in Europe. Arne Slot will be desperate to keep that spine intact as he looks to build on Klopp’s foundations.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This is one to keep an anxious eye on. Konaté is no squad filler — he is the future of our defence. And given what we’ve just witnessed with Trent, allowing another cornerstone of the team to drift into contract uncertainty would be inexcusable.

Konaté says he is happy, and there is no suggestion of disloyalty. But we’ve been here before. Comments like “we will see what will happen” and “my agent met the club last week” are hardly the strongest signals of commitment.

The concern isn’t just Real Madrid’s interest. It’s Liverpool’s tendency, in recent years, to take reactive rather than proactive steps in renewals. This summer has to be different.

A €70 million price tag may scare Madrid off for now, but it’s also an open invitation to test our resolve. That figure will look like a bargain if he winds his contract down and leaves for nothing.

The club needs to act now, lock him down long-term, and ensure that when Madrid come calling again — and they will — it’s met with a confident shrug, not a nervous glance at the calendar.