Real Madrid have agreed a deal to bring in Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate this summer, after his departure from Liverpool was confirmed this week. The 27-year-old defender is a free agent, after failing to agree a new deal in the 18 months of negotiations with the Reds.
Los Blancos began being linked with Konate in March of 2025, and were thought to be a likely destination for Konate last summer. Yet in November, Real Madrid informed Liverpool they were no longer looking to sign him. The France international had shown a downturn in form, and he
That has since been confirmed by Diario AS, who say that he will sign a four-year deal until 2030, with an option for a fifth season. They also note the fact that Kylian Mbappe approves of the deal is a factor that has worked in Konate’s favour.
Real Madrid’s centre-back options
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Konate joins a centre-back room that has just lost David Alaba, and is currently without Eder Militao, who has been battling injuries for much of the past three seasons. Dean Huijsen was the big-money signing last year, and Raul Asencio is the other option available as things stand. Among those options, Konate will like his chances of being a starter. There are also high hopes for academy talents Victor Valdepenas, Lamini Fati and Joan Martinez, but the feeling has also been that Asencio could leave if a good offer arrives for him.