The summer transfer window marked the end of an era for Liverpool as Trent Alexander-Arnold made the move to Real Madrid. The England international, who had been on course to leave on a free transfer, instead joined Los Blancos for a symbolic fee. The Spanish club decided to act quickly, ensuring that the defender was registered in time to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup, avoiding any delay in his integration into the squad.
Konaté’s future under the spotlight
The focus at Anfield has now shifted to Ibrahima Konaté. At 26 years old, the French centre-back is entering a decisive stage in his career. His contract with Liverpool is due to expire at the end of the season, and while negotiations for a renewal are underway, no agreement has been finalised. This uncertainty leaves the door open for potential suitors.
From January onwards, Konaté will legally be entitled to negotiate a pre-contract with clubs outside England. That prospect has inevitably drawn attention from top sides, with Real Madrid already mentioned as one of the clubs monitoring his situation. The parallels with Alexander-Arnold’s case have only heightened concerns among Liverpool supporters that another key defender could depart without a significant transfer fee.
Real Madrid links and Mbappé’s name
Appearing on Téléfoot on Sunday, Konaté was directly asked about the possibility of swapping Anfield for the Bernabéu. When questioned about whether he speaks Spanish, the Frenchman admitted that he does not.
The discussion then turned to his international teammate Kylian Mbappé, who recently completed his own move to Madrid. Asked if the forward was encouraging him to follow the same path, Konaté joked, “He calls me every two hours,” before quickly retracting with a firm, “No, no, no.”
Konaté’s response may have been light-hearted, but it reflected the growing speculation surrounding his future. With no extension agreed, the coming months could prove decisive for both the player and the club.