'A load of ****' - Teammate's meltdown over Konate contract decision

Liverpool received some good news on the contract front earlier this week.

It was revealed that Real Madrid had NO plans to pursue a deal for Ibrahima Konate - who is entitled to speak to interested clubs in January.

The 26-year-old had been expected to be a Madrid target as one of the best centre-backs available on a free transfer in 2026.

But plans changed dramatically with David Ornstein and others disclosing that Madrid had informed their Liverpool counterparts that they had no interest in chasing Konate.

That means Richard Hughes has got a big chance to secure the France international to a new contract as one of the biggest rivals for his signature are now out of the running.

Mbappe beckons Konate to Bernabeu

Konate - signed from RB Leipzig for £35m back in 2021 - is believed to favour a move to the Bernabeu but will have to think again following Madrid’s decision.

And the choice to remove themselves from the chase for Konate has not gone down well in the dressing room either with Kylian Mbappe reported to be very unhappy.

The France captain has spent a lot of time with Konate on international duty - and the defender joked that Mbappe had been calling him with regularity over a move to the Spanish capital.

Mbappe fumes over Madrid's Konate decision

And now Defensa Central is reporting that the forward has called Madrid’s decision to drop out of the race “a load of crap” as he expected to be his team-mate at club level next season.

Instead it now looks ever more likely that Konate will be staying at Anfield while Madrid pursue other targets in the shape of Marc Guehi and Dayot Upamecano.

Liverpool get another chance to renew Konate

For their part Liverpool will still have to convince Konate to sign the deal. Currently on £140k per week, it’s been suggested that the defender wanted £200k per week or more to renew.

He is obviously in a weaker negotiating position now that Madrid are out of the race - while his drop in form may well be cited as a reason Los Blancos are ready to consider other options.

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