The 'Konaté case', ready for a verdict: He isn't listening to the contract renewal offer

One of the signings that Real Madrid hopes to make a reality for the summer 2026 transfer window is Ibrahima Konaté. This free agent acquisition is a market opportunity designed to renew the defensive assets that Xabi Alonso has at his disposal. This is because David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger would leave the team at the end of this season.

Both center-backs, already veterans, are under contract with Real Madrid  until the middle of next year... and their renewal for at least one more season is much more complicated than it seems. So much so that only Antonio Rüdiger could add another year as a Madridist if he delivers an exceptional 25/26 season.

This situation explains Real Madrid's insistence on acquiring the football services of Ibrahima Konaté. The ideal goal is to secure the registration of Liverpool's "5" as a free agent, without paying a single euro to Anfield's coffers as was originally intended with Alexander-Arnold. That's why the Merengue bosses are closely following the negotiations for his renewal.

The information published by Fabrizio Romano reveals that Ibrahima Konaté is still in talks with the red squad's bosses to extend the contract that ends in the summer of 2026. While it's true that this fact would worry any other club, it doesn't worry Real Madrid. After all, it shows that the French "5" is offering notable resistance to signing an extension of his time in England.

It keeps as an option

The player knows perfectly well that his entry into Santiago Bernabéu locker room in ten months depends entirely on his own determination. If Konaté keeps firm and doesn't accept the renewal with Liverpool, no matter how much money the Merseyside squad mobilizes for that purpose... Real Madrid will be there, ready to sign him.

The executives led by Florentino Pérez are even planning an approach to Konaté valued at €15 million during the winter transfer window. That operation can only become a reality if Liverpool decides to put him on the market to get some financial return from his departure. It's also a sign of his importance as part of the sports project.

Fabrizio Romano recalls that Ibrahima Konaté "is at the very top of the target list" of the Merengue sports management. The configuration of a new team for Xabi Alonso, started this very summer with the signings of four players, includes multiple reinforcements for the team's back line on the field.

Injuries from previous seasons have weighed down the members of the defense in the past: Carlo Ancelotti can attest to that. To avoid the critical situation experienced by the Reggiolo coach, Real Madrid is taking another step and moving closer to a top-level free agent signing.