Real Madrid ready with €30m offer for Liverpool contract rebel

Real Madrid's obsession with Liverpool has started to become a little weird as yet another one of our players is in the spotlight for a potential move to the Spanish capital.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the Reds' finest that is currently expected to move, but plenty of other players have been approached as well. With the transfer window yet to open, it's concerning.

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Los Blancos have already agreed to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth - one of Liverpool's high priority centre-back targets, and both Milos Kerkez and Jorrel Hato are being considered as well.

But closer to home, we have seen Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister both name-dropped in recent weeks, although fortunately Liverpool are in a position to outright dismiss any outside interest.

However, there is a concern that a saga similar to the one that Trent put us through might be on the table with regard to players that are nearing the end of their contracts. But this time, instead of necessarily waiting until they can sign them on a free transfer, Madrid are offering a transfer fee.

Konate is high up on Madrid's shortlist to follow Huijsen

According to Defensa Central, the Spanish giants are continuing to 'study' the defensive market.

Their latest report claims: "Madrid does not rule out signing a second centre[-back] after Huijsen, provided that the price does not exceed 30 million.

"Konate, Hato and Cuti Romero are, with Saliba discarded by price, the three options that the club handles today for that price, although it may not be enough due to the competition."

As with much of the intel that comes from Real Madrid-linked websites, the club are confident that the players will move this summer, and are continuing to down-play their chances.

Whereas, we all know that when Madrid approach a player, it's incredibly difficult for them to decline.

But €30m would be an incredibly ambitious move for Konate - the Frenchman is arguably worth at least double that sum, if not more given his talent and how ideal his age profile is.

Although declining such an offer is not straightforward for Liverpool. There's a lot more to it than that.

Konate will be out of contract in 2026, meaning this summer is the Reds' opportunity to cash in and get a transfer fee for him, if it is unforeseeable that the player can be tied down to a new contract.

Negotiations behind the scenes will be hotting up given how important the 25-year-old is to Arne Slot's project. Replacing him is not something that anyone connected to Liverpool wants to consider.

But if all hope is lost, then letting him go on a free transfer is not an option. Trent's departure this season has scarred everyone and financially it would be a disaster for the club. It cannot happen.

As such, Madrid's offer will be assessed fairly, although €30m is a significant undervaluation.

PSG are also said to be interested in Konate, offering him the captaincy as a part of any potential deal to bring him back to the city he grew up in - approach that will likely be taken more seriously if the financial offer is too good to ignore.

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Nonetheless, this development suggests we are edging closer to an untenable position and one way or another, Liverpool will be forced into making a decision on the player's future this summer.

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