It is pretty evident that Liverpool aren’t a small club, considering their stature both on and off the pitch. Being one of the Big 6 not only comes with prestige but also a lot of money.
The wealth was evident when manager Arne Slot went all out in this year’s summer transfer window. Two record-breaking signings, and here we are with the Dutchman having the ability to create two world-class starting XIs with a single squad.
It would also be hard to believe if the Reds were about to lose a player just because they couldn’t match a player’s desired wages.
Unfortunately, that might not be far from reality in the Ibrahima Konaté saga. Having played a major role in Slot’s first season as the Reds manager, the Dutchman might lose the centre-back to bitter transfer rivals.
Ibrahima Konaté rejects eight-figure Liverpool offer
Ibrahima Konaté has set his eyes on the Santiago Bernabéu (Credits: Imago Images)
Real Madrid’s interest in Ibrahima Konaté is no secret. With the Frenchman’s contract expiring at the end of the season, many top clubs have tried to strike a deal with the France international.
Los Blancos are in a prime position as the Spanish giants seem to have a certain kind of allure that attracts all players. Last season, they signed Trent Alexander-Arnold after the 26-year-old spent two decades in Merseyside.
According to Defensa Central, the offer Konaté rejected from Liverpool was worth £9.6m (€11m). The centre-back’s agent was in talks with the club regarding an extension and new terms, but they didn’t reportedly end well.
Apart from the Paris native’s intrinsic desire to play for Los Blancos, a £115,000-a-week surge in salary wasn’t enough to convince him.
Quiz: Can you name these 10 Liverpool players from the 2000s?
Liverpool still dicey with the centre-back situation
From £70,000 to £185,000, a more than two times increase in salary wasn’t enough for Konaté. Xabi Alonso will be happy to hear this but Arne Slot needs to make some things clear for January and the summer of 2026.
Real Madrid expect to sign Ibrahima for free in the summer. This will put the club one defender down, as Slot already walks a tight rope of four centre-back options, with only three of them being seniors.
AC Milan is expected to hunt Joe Gomez in the winter after the club failed to make any significant moves this summer.
If both the transfers materialise, it will be hard for Slot to continue with just two defenders. However, Marc Guéhi, Ronaldo Araújo and Dayot Upamecano are all on Liverpool’s list of potential replacements.
Although with so many high-profile clubs interested, the Reds will have to play this one clean to stay on top and not be in a similar position mid-season or next season.
