Liverpool swap deal will HAND Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid

Liverpool are facing contract uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate. The centre-back is out of contract in 2026 - and so far the club have been unable to convince Konate to sign a new deal.

The 26-year-old signed for Liverpool back in 2021 - going on to establish a Premier League title-winning partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk last season.

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But that duo could be broken up if the Reds fail to agree new terms with the France international. Real Madrid of course lie in wait.

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The 15-time European champions have made a habit of signing the highest-grade free agents in recent seasons although they ultimately had to pay £10m for Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer.

Konate could be delivered to Madrid

But Konate is certainly a player of interest to Los Blancos - who will be moving on from both David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger in summer 2026.

Konate is desired as a new centre-back - and confidence is growing in the Spanish capital that a deal is on the cards.

Defensa Central now claims that there is in effect a swap deal in place which will see Konate move to the Bernabeu as a free agent. The Spanish media outlet claims Liverpool will make another attempt to agree a new contract with Konate over the coming months.

But it adds that Konate should end up leaving at the conclusion of this season - leaving a big hole in the centre of Liverpool’s defence.

Liverpool want to bring in Guehi

And who can come in to replace him? According to the same report it’s Marc Guehi. Liverpool were close to adding the Crystal Palace captain to the ranks at the end of the summer transfer window - but the FA Cup holders ultimately pulled the plug on the deal.

He too is out of contract in 2026 - and the Reds are confident he will choose Anfield above other suitors in the chase. Therefore this could end up being a transfer fee-free situation.

Liverpool will LOSE Konate - who cost £35m from RB Leipzig - for nothing but by the same token will be permitted to add a free transfer replacement in the form of Guehi.

Could Madrid move for Guehi instead?

The losers in all of this are Palace. They are at the bottom of the pyramid and will require spending money to replace their England international.

Intriguingly, the report adds that Guehi is on the list of options that Madrid have got in case Konate ends up remaining on Merseyside or else agreeing a deal elsewhere.

That in itself may suggest Konate to Madrid is not the slam dunk Madrid media like to claim it is and the Reds may yet have a fruitful contract discussion with the French colossus.

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