Real Madrid Approaches Dramatic Free Transfer

Real Madrid are at it again, quietly planning another significant signing that could substantially shape their transfer strategy. This time, the focus is on another Liverpool player, Ibrahima Konaté. The French center-back, who has steadily developed into one of the Premier League’s most commanding defenders, finds himself at the heart of growing speculation surrounding his future. 

With his current contract running down and talks stalling, Madrid are lurking in the shadows, ready to repeat the same trick they pulled with Trent Alexander-Arnold. In what would be another bold free transfer, Los Blancos are positioning themselves to land Konaté without paying a transfer fee. This scenario is beginning to feel far too familiar for Liverpool fans.

Madrid’s Long Game Strategy

If there’s one thing Real Madrid has mastered in recent years, it’s playing the long game when it comes to transfers. Gone are the days of impulsive Galáctico-style splurges. These days, Madrid prefers to work quietly, building relationships behind the scenes and pouncing when the timing is right. That’s precisely how they managed to lure Alexander-Arnold to the Bernabéu this summer, and Kylian Mbappe in the last, a thriller transfer saga that lasted years. They let Trent run down his Liverpool contract before agreeing to a shock move that stunned the football world, when everyone thought he’d be a Liverpool all-time great. 

Now, the exact blueprint is being applied to Konaté. According to reports in Spain, particularly from Marca, Madrid has been monitoring Konaté’s situation for months. They see the 26-year-old as an ideal addition to a defensive line that, while still star-studded, has grown increasingly fragile. Injuries to David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Antonio Rudiger have forced Madrid to rethink their long-term plans. 

Konaté’s mix of physical dominance, speed, and positional intelligence ticks all the right boxes. They view the Frenchman as part of their long-term defensive setup, potentially alongside Marco Asensio in defence for years to come. Additionally, with the recent signing of Spanish talent Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, Real Madrid is focused on injecting young talent and much-needed depth into their backline. There’s a real sense in Madrid’s camp that Konaté could be the next big piece of their puzzle. But there’s also a quiet confidence: They’ve done this before, and they know how to be patient.

Liverpool’s Dilemma, Again

From Liverpool’s perspective, this feels like déjà vu. First it was Gini Wijnaldum, then Sadio Mané, then Alexander-Arnold. And now, one of their most essential defenders might be following the same path out the door for free. Liverpool has been in talks with Konaté about a new contract. The player himself addressed the rumors in a recent interview, claiming much of the noise around his future was “fake” and insisting that he had already replied to the club’s offer. But that only raises more questions. If the offer was on the table and he responded… what’s the hold-up?

Rumors suggest that Konaté is seeking a substantial wage increase, potentially up to £200,000 per week, which would place him among the club’s top earners. Liverpool, known for their disciplined wage structure, may be hesitant to meet those demands. And with every passing month, the opportunity for renewal gets narrower. The fear inside Anfield is that they’ll lose another asset without any return. If Konaté doesn’t commit by early 2026, he’ll be free to talk to other clubs,  and Real Madrid will almost certainly be first in line.

Why Madrid Wants Konaté

There’s no mystery behind Madrid’s interest. With Alaba and Rudiger both well into their 30s, and Militao still recovering from a long-term injury, the Spanish giants are planning for the next decade of defensive stability. They’ve already brought in 21-year-old Dean Huijsen and already have the talented Asensio, but they know they need more proven depth.

Konaté, at 26, represents the perfect blend of experience and upside. He has played in a Champions League final, competed for France at major tournaments, and demonstrated his ability to dominate physically in the high-tempo Premier League. Madrid sees him as someone who can replace either Militao or Alaba, potentially anchoring their backline for years to come.

Beyond the tactical fit, there’s a broader strategy at play. Madrid has made it clear that the days of overspending are behind them. If they can continue adding elite talent without paying massive transfer fees, they will. It’s a model that has already yielded success, and if they can secure Konaté next year, it would only strengthen their position as the smartest operators in European football.

Final Thoughts

For now, Konaté remains a Liverpool player. He’s featured regularly under Arne Slot, who values him highly, and there’s no indication that he’s trying to force a move. However, if no agreement is reached by January 2026, Madrid or any other club will be free to negotiate directly with him. Based on how they handled the Alexander-Arnold deal, that might be all they need. Liverpool faces a tough choice: lock him down soon, or risk losing another top performer for nothing. Either way, this saga is far from over.