Liverpool given MASSIVE Ibrahima Konate contract news

Liverpool have received some incredibly positive news on Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman's contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

Ibrahima Konate is hurtling towards the same situation three of his teammates found themselves in last season. The defender's contract is set to expire and there isn't much talk of progress in negotiations.

This was the case with Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, of course. The trio went through 90 per cent of the season with their futures in doubt.

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Two of them would go on to sign new deals but Alexander-Arnold chose to leave Liverpool. Unfortunately, that's the situation Konate's appears most like.

The Frenchman, like Alexander-Arnold, reportedly harbours plans to join Real Madrid once his contract expires. Los Blancos are willing to wait to sign him on a free transfer - as they've liked to do in recent years.

But Liverpool do appear to have received a solid boost in their talks. If reports from Spain are to be believed.

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Real Madrid change course

AS reports that Real Madrid most certainly do want to sign a new centre-back. They've got some ageing players, while the likes of Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are nearing the end of their deals.

Near the top of that list to replace them is Konate. But he's only near the top - he's not actually their primary target. At least, he doesn't appear to be anymore.

The report suggests William Saliba is now Real Madrid's top target. The Arsenal defender will have one year remaining on his deal in 2026 and the suggestion here is that the Gunners will feel they have to talk about a sale.

Saliba is too valuable to lose for free and if he decides he definitely wants to leave, Arsenal could sell. Liverpool, then, may not have to face down Real Madrid again to get their player re-signed.

That'll be the hope coming out from this. That Konate doesn't have the same options he thought he would and that Liverpool are clearly his best choice.

Of course, we think he's their best choice anyway - but Real Madrid do have a mad pull with players. There's still a long way to go on this one but the news that Saliba, not Konate, is the ultimate goal for the Spanish side is absolutely welcome.

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