"The interest from Real Madrid is genuine": Fabrizio Romano drops big update on Liverpool star ahead of Champions League clash
Liverpool under pressure to get the deal done in time...
Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Liverpool star’s future at the club amid strong interest from Real Madrid.
The European giants successfully lured Trent Alexander-Arnold away from his boyhood club on a free transfer in the summer, a move that has made the right-back go from hero to villain.
The 26-year-old ran down his Anfield contract, refusing every offer and eventually made the move to Spain as a free agent.
And it has been suggested that Madrid are trying the same tactics to lure Ibrahima Konate to the club.
The French defender’s contract with the Reds expires in the summer of 2026 and so far the club has failed to come to an agreement with Konate over a new deal.
Liverpool have made several offers, all refused by the player, with their most recent proposal coming just a few days ago.
I reported that the Reds have offered fresh contract to the player through his agent on Sunday afternoon.
Real Madrid ‘genuinely interested’ in signing Ibrahima Konate
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has now also reported that Liverpool are in talks with his agent while confirming Real Madrid’s interest in Konate, stating that ‘the interest is genuine’.
As per Romano, Konate is one of the players Madrid are monitoring and that the opportunity is there for Konate to move after Saliba signed a new deal with Arsenal in the summer.
Speaking on YouTube, Romano said:
“Don’t forget about Ibrahima Konate who is out of contract in summer 2026 who is in the list of Real Madrid.
“Ibrahim Konate remains a player in the list of Real Madrid. So if Konate will go on a free next summer, Real Madrid will be very attentive to the situation.
“For sure he’s one of the players they are monitoring. On the other side, Liverpool are still talking with his agents.
“So Liverpool at this stage have the opportunity to still talk to the player but Konate has the opportunity to decide whether he wants to stay in Liverpool or try a new chapter.
“There is a lot of interest in Konate. Real Madrid are not the only ones. So for sure on a free would be a big opportunity but this depends on the player.
“Konate has the opportunity to decide. The interest from Real Madrid is genuine also because one of the targets they had at Real Madrid was William Saliba, another French excellent defender, but Saliba decided to stay at Arsenal and sign new contract at the club.
“And so now for Konate, it is an opportunity for the player to decide whether he wants to continue Liverpool or go and try a new chapter.
Romano added that Real Madrid had also considered William Saliba before he renewed with Arsenal, making Konate one of their top alternatives.
The Spanish club reportedly view the Liverpool centre-back as a long-term successor to David Alaba, who could leave the Bernabeu, while Antonio Rudiger’s future also remains uncertain.
“Real Madrid are there. Real Madrid are attentive. Real Madrid already had some conversation internally to consider opportunities because they want to strengthen the center back position for 2026.
“As I told you, David Alaba should leave the club according to my information. Let’s see what happens with Antonio Rudiger because the Rudiger situation is still open between extending the contract or leaving the club on a free next summer and so Konate want to watch with the player deciding his future soon.”
Liverpool will want to avoid losing Ibrahima Konate on a free
Having already lost Trent on a free transfer to Real Madrid, Liverpool will be desperate to avoid another similar scenario.
Konate will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs as early as January 2026, meaning the Reds have limited time to either secure his renewal or decide on a sale.
But with Liverpool short of centre-backs, they will not be able to afford losing Konate in January unless they sign an adequate replacement.
He remains a key part of Liverpool’s defence, even though his performances this season has seen a slight dip.
Konate has formed a formidable partnership with Van Dijk over the past few seasons, establishing himself among one of the best centre-backs in the league.
Losing him would no doubt come as a blow for Liverpool.