Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training session
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.
According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal, with both targets representing two strands of a new-look strategy.
In recent times, Real Madrid has picked up the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba for no transfer fee. It would have done the same for Trent Alexander-Arnold were it not for the Club World Cup, with the La Liga giant instead having to pay a fee to Liverpool to sign him early — in a deal essentially worth around $13 million (£10 million) to the Reds.
Dean Huijsen ($68 million/£50 million) and Franco Mastantuono ($52 million/£38 million) have been signed by Real Madrid this summer for significant fees, but the report says that is the plan moving forward: Madrid will either spend big on huge talents or target free agents.
"You know, I just want to say one thing: everything you saw on social media is completely fake," Konate told reporters, including from the ECHO, after the final game of the season.
"I didn't even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
"The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end... I want this, all of it, is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: 'Ah, they have more information than me!?'
Ibrahima Konate is yet to sign a new contract with Liverpool
"It was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn't want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen."
Konate proved last season that he was capable of playing a large volume of minutes without getting injured. But the Frenchman will need to pen new terms sooner rather than later if he wants to avoid being asked about his future for the next few months.
"First thing, I am very happy because we have won the Premier League trophy and we lifted it today," Konate continued. "We have to enjoy it, have a rest, and hopefully next season will be better than this.
"Today, to win the Premier League, I know I have a lot of objectives with this club: to become a leader, to win everything. I am very happy here to be fair, you know.
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