Real Madrid ready to offer attacker in bid to land Konate

Liverpool are facing a conundrum at centre-back over Ibrahima Konate. Although the transfer focus has been elsewhere this summer, the French defender’s contract is expiring in 2026 and there has been no breakthrough over a renewal.

Konate, 26, was reported to be seeking £200k per week for a new contract but right now there are no guarantees he would sign even if he had his demands met by the club.

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That’s because Real Madrid are lying in wait - intent on bringing Konate to the Bernabeu on a free transfer when his contract expires.

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Liverpool then are between a rock and a hard place - either lose Konate on a free or else try to find a buyer willing to pay for him this summer.

Liverpool defender tipped to move to Madrid

If a deal could be worked out with Madrid then Liverpool could end up making some of the £35m back that they paid to RB Leipzig back in 2021.

And there are indications that the 15-time European champions are willing to add a long-term Liverpool target to the deal in order to reduce the upfront cost for Konate.

Brahim Diaz, 25, first appeared on the Liverpool radar back in February - with reports suggesting Arne Slot was ready to sanction a summer arrival.

Real Madrid willing to include Brahim Diaz

The Morocco international scored six goals and added eight assists for Los Blancos last season in all competitions. He plays across a variety of positions in the attacking line - including right wing, left wing, attacking midfield and false nine.

His arrival could cover plenty of gaps in Arne Slot’s squad - particularly if Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz depart.

“Real Madrid is willing to include Brahim Díaz as a bargaining chip, adding a €10 million fee to convince the Reds to let the French defender leave a year earlier than planned,” a report in Fichajes reads.

Liverpool have got to get to grips with the Konate situation sooner rather than later. If a deal can be done this summer then they can get on with funding a replacement such as Marc Guehi.

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Otherwise they risk going into the season ahead in the knowledge that Konate will be off for nothing at the end of the campaign.

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