Real Madrid to submit '£25m' Ibrahima Konate offer

Exclusive: Real Madrid to submit ‘£25m’ Ibrahima Konate offer

Real Madrid could make an attempt to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate for as little as £25million during the summer transfer window.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have said about the 26-year-old’s chances of leaving Anfield this summer.

Xabi Alonso’s side are long-term admirers of the centre-back, who has just one year remaining on his contract, and are prepared to test the Reds’ resolve.

However, Football Insider revealed Liverpool will demand £40million to sell Konate this summer as they are reluctant to see him leave either this summer or next.

Instead, Madrid are believed to be lining up a deal to bring the France international to the Bernabeu on a free transfer in 2026 as they did with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

This comes after Football Insider revealed in May that Real Madrid are “very interested” in signing Konate following Alexander-Arnold’s move to Los Blancos.

Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool this summer. (Credit: Imago)

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Liverpool eye Konate contract extension after Real Madrid twist

Football Insider revealed in April that Liverpool have made Konate’s contract their priority and Richard Hughes is leading the push for an agreement.

Those talks are expected to accelerate again over the next few weeks, as they are determined not to lose another key player to Madrid with no fee coming their way.

O’Rourke explained that Liverpool are extremely reluctant to lose the defender, which could open the door to a “cheeky” lowball bid from Spain.

“Liverpool will be desperate to avoid a situation where Konate could walk out of Anfield on a free in 2026,” he told Football Insider.

“Obviously, Real Madrid will be hoping that’s what will happen.

“They’ll be hoping Konate runs down his contract so they can snap him up on a free transfer, a bit like they did with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“Real Madrid are smart in the transfer market, they’ll try to sign these top players on free transfers.

“I don’t see a move happening this summer, it would have to be a very good offer from Real Madrid to convince Liverpool to sell him.

“They’ll probably put in a cheeky offer of around £25million, but that’s not going to be enough to get him.

“The player is in the box position here, he can stay at Liverpool and talk to interested clubs in January.

“It’s a real worry for Liverpool, they’ve seen Trent leave the club on a free transfer and they don’t want to see the same thing happen with Konate.

“But Real Madrid have a history of doing this, so they’ll be happy to sit and wait.”

Liverpool are eyeing Marc Guehi to replace Ibrahima Konate. (Credit: Imago)

Marc Guehi update emerges after Crystal Palace latest

Amid speculation about Konate’s future at Anfield, Arne Slot has been considering potential replacements with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi at the top of his list.

Football Insider revealed on 15 July that Liverpool are increasingly likely to sign Guehi, with the deal set to accelerate if Palace complete the signing of Ousmane Diomande.

The Eagles have identified the Sporting CP defender as their top target to replace their club captain, and his arrival will allow them to facilitate Guehi’s exit.

This comes after former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in June that Palace are confident of signing Diomande ahead of the likes of Chelsea and PSG.

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