Real Madrid are said to be planning a move to sign a Liverpool defender on a free transfer in 2026, with fresh reports claiming they are already working behind the scenes to make it happen.
The defender’s contract runs out next summer, and negotiations over a new deal have stalled. With no agreement in sight, it has left the door open for Real Madrid, who have a habit of moving early for players nearing the end of their contracts.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Madrid are closely following the situation and preparing early.
“We can confirm that Real Madrid are working on a deal to sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer of 2026 on a free transfer,” Romano told DAZN Football.
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“Like the Trent Alexander-Arnold case, they’re very interested. They’ve already made contact to understand his situation. There is no proposal and nothing official yet, he’s still a Liverpool player and they’ll respect that, but the interest is there.”
Although Madrid cannot approach the player until January 1, 2026, they are said to be gathering information to be ready when the time comes.
At the end of last season, the defender himself spoke about the rumours around his future. He denied suggestions that he was stalling or making any demands and said most of the stories online were false.
“Everything you saw on social media is completely fake,” he said. “I didn’t even ask for anything. The club made me an offer, and I replied — that’s all.
“All the talk that I want to wait or that I asked for certain things is not true. Even some top journalists were saying in November that I was close to signing — I was like, ‘How do they know more than me?’
“Is there progress? Not really. But my agent met the club last week. I don’t know what will happen. We’ll see.”
Liverpool are still pushing to reach an agreement but risks losing another defender unless the situation improves. The centre-back was among the senior players rested for the first pre-season game against Preston and is expected to feature during the upcoming tour of Asia.
