Liverpool are TERRIFIED as Real Madrid prepare another transfer assault

Liverpool spent a large part of the current season fretting over the contract situations of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Sporting director Richard Hughes managed to get renewals over the line for both Van Dijk and Salah, extending their terms at the club until 2027.

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He wasn’t so successful with Trent Alexander-Arnold though with the 26-year-old running down his deal and now expecting to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

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It is a situation the Reds are desperate to avoid with Ibrahima Konate, who is the next big contract worry at Anfield. Out of contract in summer 2026, the French defender has so far resisted attempts to tie him to a new deal.

Demands of £200k per week have been mentioned, sums which would take the centre-back into Liverpool’s category of highest earners.

Liverpool are yet to come to a compromise with Konate, meaning his status at the club long-term is at risk. If no renewal is struck then the Reds could LOSE Konate on a free - having paid £35m to sign him from RB Leipzig four years ago.

Liverpool very worried about Konate

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are all thought to be keen on the French international, who has established himself at the heart of the Liverpool defence alongside Van Dijk this season.

And Liverpool’s concerns over Konate have now been spelled out by transfer journalist Graeme Bailey for TBR Football.

“We really can’t underestimate just how worried Liverpool are by Konate’s situation,” he says.

“Liverpool are in a massive quandary with him now, I’m told if a new deal is looking unlikely in the coming weeks then do not rule out the prospect of Liverpool selling Konate this summer.

“[But] there is the prospect that Konate might not accept a summer move.

“It’s all about player power and Konate’s got it and Liverpool are very worried about this situation.

“All the clubs love him — we know Real Madrid but PSG like him a lot and Bayern Munich.”

Madrid would pay €30m for Konate

Another report in Spain suggests that Madrid president Florentino Perez is ready to sanction a €30m move for Konate this summer - although it’s been suggested elsewhere Los Blancos are prepared to wait.

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Either way, this could prove to be a very tough challenge for Hughes to negotiate - mere WEEKS after sorting out both Van Dijk and Salah.