Report: Ibrahima Konate edges closer to Madrid exit as Liverpool launch final contract push

The Reds have been locked in contract negotiations with Konate for months, but with his current deal set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, no agreement has been reached.

Sources close to the club indicate that Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, are prepared to table a substantial wage increase in these decisive talks, hoping to sway the 26-year-old centre-back who joined from RB Leipzig in 2021 for thirty-six million pounds.

Konate has become a key figure in Liverpool's defence, making 133 appearances, scoring five goals, and providing four assists. During his time on Merseyside, he has helped the Reds lift the Premier League title once, the FA Cup once, and the EFL Cup twice.

Despite Liverpool's persistence, Spanish outlets AS and Marca have reported that Konate has "already given his approval" to Real Madrid, expressing a desire to join the Bernabeu giants either this summer or as a free agent next year.

AS has claimed that if Liverpool finalize deals for new centre-backs like Giovanni Leoni from Parma and Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, Real Madrid could table a bid around twenty-five million euros, well below Liverpool's valuation, before the transfer window shuts.

Liverpool have already lost Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, prompting the need for reinforcements, but signing two defenders could signal preparations for life without Konate. The Reds have made it clear they have no intention of selling him this window unless he rejects the upcoming offer, as per reports from Diario AS.

Trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano has said on his YouTube channel: "Liverpool are still not opening the doors for this summer for Ibrahima Konate to go to Real Madrid. They still hope to try and reach an agreement with Konate in the next months."

He added that negotiations have been "strange with ups and downs," noting the Reds were close to a deal last autumn before talks stalled, and that Konate "is not desperate to get out of Liverpool or desperate to go to Real Madrid just yet."

Journalist David Lynch has echoed this on Sports Mole's YouTube channel, stating: "Speaking to people close to Konate, I still get the feeling that his priority is to renew with Liverpool and there are talks there, but it is kind of stuck at the moment. I don't think it has reached the point of no return."

Barcelona have also shown interest, with reports of preliminary talks, but English media insist Liverpool remain optimistic about a breakthrough.

Recent updates from outlets like Marca suggest Real Madrid are reserving a first-team spot, potentially for Konate, by integrating summer signing Franco Mastantuono into their Castilla setup initially.

Chelsea have emerged as surprise contenders, making exploratory enquiries, but Real Madrid are favored if Konate departs. 

Liverpool fans will be watching closely as these final discussions unfold, with the defender's decision poised to shape the Reds' defensive plans for the season ahead.