Liverpool take DRASTIC Ibrahima Konate decision as contract runs down

The Frenchman - signed in 2021 for £35m from RB Leipzig - is out of contract at the end of the current season. If no new deal is agreed then the France international will be LEAVING on a free in summer 2026.

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are among the teams linked with signing the 26-year-old on a lucrative Bosman deal. Real Madrid were believed to be leading the chase for Konate but apparently backed out of the move a couple of months ago.

Rudiger injured for Real Madrid once again

Los Blancos were left unconvinced by Konate’s inconsistent performances this season - a far cry from his form which helped win the Premier League title for the Reds back in 2024/25.

Madrid are currently in action at the Spanish Super Cup mini-tournament in Jeddah - where they face Barcelona in the final on Sunday night.

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During the week Xabi Alonso’s side overcame their city rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals - earning their place in the showpiece event.

But Madrid were left counting the costs of injuries with Antonio Rudiger once again among the players reporting a complaint.

Liverpool offered Konate to Real Madrid

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the current season too and the German is widely expected to be replaced at the heart of the Madrid defence.

Any injury in the short term leaves the 15-time European champions short at the back however and according to sources in Spain they have been offered the chance to do a January deal for Konate.

Defensa Central is reporting that Real Madrid were offered Konate in a €20m (£17m) deal by Liverpool in order to cover Rudiger’s injury and add to the club’s options until the end of the season.

But Madrid have turned down those overtures from Anfield - sticking to their plan of moving for other centre-back targets reported to include Nico Schlotterbeck and Marc Guehi.

Liverpool may well be receptive to a bid this January if they are resigned to the fact that Konate is leaving on a free.

They may be able to claw back some of the initial fee they put down for Konate five years ago - and plough the proceeds into a deal for a replacement in the shape of Guehi or Joel Ordonez.