An older man with glasses smiles while a younger man in a sports uniform is in the foreground, and in the top right corner the Barcelona and PSG crests appear, with the PSG crest crossed out.
Florentino and Xabi Alonso, with the crests of Barça and PSG crossed out | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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Not PSG, not Barça, the player who is going to sign with Real Madrid as a free agent

Los Blancos beat Barça and PSG to it, another free signing on the way

by

Borja Díaz

Real Madrid has already shown that it's the best team when it comes to moving in the market with free agents. Alaba, Rüdiger, Mbappé, or Trent landed at Bernabéu after their contracts ended. The list seems likely to keep growing with another candidate.

This time it's about Liverpool's center-back, Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract renewal has become complicated. His contract ends in 2026 and for now, he has rejected the offers presented to him from Anfield. This situation is starting to worry the Reds, who see a strong possibility that he will leave.

Soccer player in a red Liverpool uniform gesturing during a match
Konaté with Liverpool | Real Madrid Confidencial

Given this situation, besides Real Madrid, Barça and PSG had also shown interest in him. They considered him a great signing at zero cost to strengthen the defense next summer. However, according to journalist Santi Aouna, Konaté's preference is the Merengue side.

We already know that a year is a long time; therefore, he could change his mind and renew. Right now, he is willing to turn down all the offers that might come his way in order to end his contract and follow Trent's path, arriving as a free agent at Real Madrid.

A signing that Real Madrid has been following for a long time

At Real Madrid, they have been following Konaté's situation for a while in case he doesn't renew. They considered him, along with Saliba, the two best options to strengthen the defense. It seems that right now, they see it as more likely that the Liverpool player will end up joining.

Two players in light blue uniforms train together on a field while smiling and stretching their arms.
Asencio and Huijsen during a training session with Spain | RealMadridConfidencial

With him and with the signing of Huijsen that they made this summer, they would make a big move in the market. They would strengthen the defense with two players of great quality and experience at the top level. In the case of the Spanish international, he still has many years ahead to keep progressing.

At 26 years old, if Konaté arrives for free it's a market opportunity they can't let slip away. PSG and Barça knew this too, which is why they tried to make a move. Once again, they've come up against Real Madrid, which is the best at handling these kinds of deals.

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