Konaté out of Real Madrid’s plans – sources

Real Madrid have quietly shelved their 2026 bid for Liverpool’s French centre‑back Ibrahima Konaté. The Spanish giants, who had the 26‑year‑old on a shortlist to plug a leaky central defence, told Liverpool they’re no longer pursuing the player 

The change of heart comes after a sharp dip in Konaté’s form. A calamitous Champions‑League night against PSV Eindhoven – where he was directly at fault for the fourth goal in a 4‑1 loss – sparked fresh criticism and highlighted his recent struggles. This season he’s managed just 12 Premier League appearances and, despite chipping in with a goal in five games, his overall impact has been far from the dominant force that helped Liverpool clinch the 2024‑25 Premier League title 

Liverpool, still trying to recapture that title‑winning momentum, are now in a stronger negotiating position. The Reds have put a fresh contract proposal on the table, but nothing is set in stone yet. Konaté’s current deal runs out in June 2026, leaving the door open for a free‑transfer move – a scenario that had previously attracted Real Madrid’s interest 

With the Frenchman’s future still undecided, Real Madrid have shifted their focus to other centre‑back options, reportedly eyeing Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano as a more reliable fit for Xabi Alonso’s system 

So, while Konaté remains a key figure at Anfield for now, the Spanish giants have moved on, leaving the Reds with a chance to lock him down before the January pre‑contract window opens.