-
Feature
- 1 hours ago
Konate pursuit intensifies as Real Madrid make major transfer step towards Liverpool star
Suraj Radia
- 17 Oct 2025 17:13 BST
- 4 min read
News
Real Madrid will intensify their pursuit of the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano after making a transfer decision that will have significant implications towards next summer’s window.
Los Blancos are expected to heavily pursue a defender next summer, particularly around the free agents pool, with Konate, Upamecano and Marc Guehi among the elite centre-backs who are in the final year of their contracts.
Having already pulled a similar trick to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, Madrid will target at least one defender on a free transfer but they could end up signing multiple players after deciding against renewing the contract of Antonio Rudiger.
Compared
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Ibrahima Konaté
D (C)
Liverpool
VS
Antonio Rüdiger
D (C)
Real Madrid
Antonio Rüdiger
D (C)
Real Madrid
|
|
ETV |
|
| €37.1M - €45.3M | ETV Range | €10.7M - €13.1M |
| 26 years old (25 May, 1999) | Age | 32 years old (03 Mar, 1993) |
|
France
|
Nationality |
Germany
|
According to BILD, Xabi Alonso believes Rudiger is not consistent enough and too injury prone to rely on, resulting in the Spanish giants opting against renewing his contract, which also expires at the end of the season.
Rudiger played just one game this season before suffering a thigh injury which is expected to rule him out until the end of November and Madrid are reluctant to keep a player of his salary on their books as a backup.
The La Liga side have relied on Eder Militao and summer signing Dean Huijsen as defensive options, while Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni have also featured, but Alonso is keen to sign a more natural and proven option next year to replace Rudiger.
What is the state of play with Real Madrid’s defensive targets?
Of Real Madrid’s rumoured targets, Konate has been the most intensely linked, although the most recent suggestion was that Liverpool are growing confident that they can keep hold of the 26-year-old.
Upamecano could instead become the club’s top target after stalling on a new deal at Bayern Munich, while Guehi too has also been linked after continuing to flourish at Crystal Palace.
Madrid have also been linked with Nico Schlotterbeck, although the German international’s deal doesn’t expire until 2027 and Liverpool are expected to make a significant bid for the Dortmund star.
Much will depend on the form and fitness of Rudiger and whether he can convince Alonso of his long-term suitability, having been a crucial figure for the club since arriving on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2022.
Football transfer news headlines today
Mikel Arteta agrees to sell €50m Arsenal star in January
Amorim admits transfer mistake as Man Utd deal heats up
Confirmed: Chelsea AGREE contract with record-breaking wonderkid
Man Utd STUNNED as Man City plot €86m move for Amorim's dream target
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
