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- 1 hours ago
CONFIRMED: Real Madrid end interest in Ibrahima Konate - Ornstein
Cameron Smith
- 28 Nov 2025 08:02 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Real Madrid have informed Liverpool they have no intention of signing Ibrahima Konate on a Bosman deal next summer, despite significant speculation over the past year.
The France international is set to become a free agent when his current contract at Anfield expires at the end of June 2026 and he has been widely tipped to secure a move to Real Madrid.
Current ETV
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Liverpool
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€37.1M - €45.4M
Los Blancos failed to sign top target William Saliba this summer, with the 24-year-old opting to sign a new contract at Arsenal instead, and widespread reports have suggested they will bring Konate to the club on a free transfer in 2026 to provide additional competition for the likes of Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao.
However, the Frenchman’s recent form has played a key role in Liverpool’s dismal run of results over the past two months and Real Madrid have now ended their interest in his signature.
That is according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who claims that Real Madrid “have informed their Premier League counterparts directly and unequivocally that - despite such heavy speculation - they now have no interest in recruiting the France international.”
This has been backed up by football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano, who has also revealed that Konate won't join Real Madrid in 2026.
Ibrahima Konate to stay at Liverpool?
It’s understood that Konate has rejected three separate contract extension offers from Liverpool over the past year, but it remains to be seen if he will agree fresh terms with Arne Slot’s side following news that a move to Real Madrid is now off the table.
The France star has made 150 appearances since arriving at Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 and he has frequently partnered Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence during his time at Anfield.
However, fans have urged Slot to drop Konate from the starting XI following a string of errors in recent weeks and he took to Instagram to issue a message to Liverpool supporters after his display versus PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
“We have to take this moment on the chest,” Konate wrote. “Criticism is part of football, and we’ll fight back every time and come through this storm. In these moments, the fans matter most. The ones who stand with us in the good times and the bad - the ones who sing for us even in the difficult moments!
“Your voice and your support mean everything to us. We know we need to improve and we’ll keep fighting for you. Always.”
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