Report: Real Madrid may fast-track summer move for Liverpool centre-back | OneFootball

Konate’s Future at Liverpool Now in Doubt

Real Madrid’s interest in Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate has long been a subject of strategic planning in the Spanish capital. What was initially earmarked as a move for 2026 now appears to be under serious reconsideration, with developments accelerating behind the scenes.

The Anfield club have faced challenges in tying down the French centre-back to a long-term deal. Despite attempts to secure his future with new contract terms, sources indicate that two offers have been turned down. This has raised flags among Liverpool’s hierarchy, not least because of the club’s desire to avoid a repeat of their current contract stand-off involving key players.

According to reports in Spain, Konate has made it clear to Liverpool officials that he is open to a summer departure—on the condition that the destination is Real Madrid.

Madrid Assess Defensive Reinforcements

Real Madrid’s interest is driven by growing concerns about the reliability and depth of their current centre-back options. Despite initial optimism around young signing Dean Huijsen, injuries and inconsistent displays from established defenders have caused unease in recent months.

Although there is no official confirmation from the Bernabéu, club sources have acknowledged that internal discussions are taking place. While the original plan was to pursue Konate in 2026—when his Liverpool contract expires—the situation has shifted. The FIFA Club World Cup exposed fragilities in Madrid’s backline, prompting manager Xabi Alonso to press for earlier action in the market.

Konate’s profile fits Madrid’s long-term recruitment strategy. Tall, athletic and composed in possession, the 25-year-old offers a blend of experience and potential. And crucially, he is understood to be committed to the move for sporting reasons, rather than financial motivation.

Liverpool Weigh Options as Exit Looms

Liverpool, for their part, are not actively pushing Konate out. However, the club’s recruitment team has begun assessing potential replacements. While there’s no internal conflict, it is understood that Liverpool’s decision-makers are aware of Konate’s desire and are open to a deal—albeit on their terms.

A summer sale could represent the club’s last real chance to command a significant fee for the defender. Liverpool have shown reluctance to lose key players without compensation, particularly following recent departures and contract challenges. The club will only sanction a transfer if their valuation is met, and suitable reinforcements are lined up.

At this stage, Konate is not applying direct pressure, but his stance is now clear. He is prepared to wait, but the door is open for Real Madrid to move sooner than expected.

Key Factors in Potential Deal

Several elements could influence the timing and feasibility of the transfer. Real Madrid’s squad fitness, Liverpool’s recruitment success, and the player’s continued resistance to a new deal all point towards a pivotal few weeks.

Though no formal bid has been submitted, the groundwork is being laid. As the situation develops, both clubs are quietly preparing for what could become one of the summer’s most closely watched transfer stories.

Analysing Konaté’s All-Round Profile: Strengths, Weaknesses and Suitability for Real Madrid

Ibrahima Konaté’s radar chart, which compares his percentile rank against other centre-backs over the last 365 days (3207 minutes played), reveals a nuanced and evolving profile. At a glance, it’s evident that Konaté offers more than just traditional defensive solidity. He shows strong attacking metrics for a central defender, with high percentiles in non-penalty expected goals (78), expected assisted goals (81), and shot-creating actions (72). These attacking contributions are rare for his position and suggest a player who supports build-up play with threat in the final third—qualities increasingly sought after by elite clubs like Real Madrid.

In terms of possession metrics, the data paints the picture of a capable ball-playing defender. He ranks in the 80th percentile for passes attempted and 72nd for both pass completion and progressive passes received, highlighting his involvement in building from the back. His ability to make progressive carries (68th percentile) and touches (72nd) further reinforces his value in possession-heavy systems. However, some areas—such as successful take-ons (22nd percentile) and progressive passes (63rd)—indicate that while competent, there’s still room for development when it comes to pushing the ball forward under pressure.

Defensively, Konaté’s profile is more mixed. His standout metric is aerial duels, with a dominant 94th percentile, reinforcing his reputation as a commanding presence in the air. Yet his tackling and interception numbers (32nd percentile), blocks (17th), and clearances (45th) suggest he’s more of a positional defender than a high-volume disruptor. This could be a stylistic reflection of Liverpool’s system, which often asks centre-backs to maintain a high line and delay rather than dive into challenges. For Real Madrid, this kind of aerial dominance combined with strong positional discipline could prove an asset, particularly in matches where defensive structure is key.