Real Madrid have agreed a deal to bring in Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate this summer, after his departure from Liverpool was confirmed this week. The 27-year-old defender is a free agent, after failing to agree a new deal in the 18 months of negotiations with the Reds.
Los Blancos began being linked with Konate in March of 2025, and were thought to be a likely destination for Konate last summer. Yet in November, Real Madrid informed Liverpool they were no longer looking to sign him. The France international had shown a downturn in form, and he looked set to stay at Liverpool as late as April, but this week it was announced he would be leaving.
Real Madrid to sign Konate to four-year contract
Nevertheless, with Jose Mourinho keen for Los Blancos to bring in at least one, if not two, central defenders, they have now approached and agreed a deal with Konate. After it became clear Konate would be a free agent, Real Madrid were linked with a move again, and they appear to have pulled the trigger on a deal. That was first reported by El Chiringuito, who noted that if Florentino Perez was re-elected as President on Sunday, then a deal would be done for Konate to come in as a free agent.
That has since been confirmed by Diario AS, who say that he will sign a four-year deal until 2030, with an option for a fifth season. They also note the fact that Kylian Mbappe approves of the deal is a factor that has worked in Konate’s favour.
Real Madrid’s centre-back options
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Konate joins a centre-back room that has just lost David Alaba, and is currently without Eder Militao, who has been battling injuries for much of the past three seasons. Dean Huijsen was the big-money signing last year, and Raul Asencio is the other option available as things stand. Among those options, Konate will like his chances of being a starter. There are also high hopes for academy talents Victor Valdepenas, Lamini Fati and Joan Martinez, but the feeling has also been that Asencio could leave if a good offer arrives for him.
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