September 27, 2025, Madrid, Madrid, Spain: XABI ALONSO heach coach of Real Madrid CF during the soccer match belonging to the 25/26 season of La Liga EA ATLETICO DE MADRID - REAL MADRID, held on September 27, 2025, at the Riad Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain. Madrid Spain - ZUMAc312 20250927_zsp_c312_107 Copyright: xOscarxManuelxSanchezx
Spanish giants Real Madrid have become an interesting group of customers of Liverpool following the transfer of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The English full-back joined Madrid in May this year following long-term interest.
Fans were heartbroken by the 26-year-old’s decision as he had spent two decades at the club. Despite initial pushback, he received a warm farewell from the Reds fans.
Even though Trent’s contract was due at the end of the season, Los Blancos paid a small fee to get him on board in time for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Having already built trade relationships with Liverpool, Xabi Alonso is now looking forward to signing another Reds defender. Ibrahima Konate is a big doubt at Anfield following his contract that expires at the end of the season.
Despite having been confident of signing the Frenchman earlier, the Spanish giants are considering their options before making a move.
Real Madrid Ibrahima Konate transfer update
Los Blancos also had their eyes on Arsenal defender William Saliba. The Gunners defender also had his contract due at the end of the season, but according to ESPN, he has already signed a five-year extension under Mikel Arteta.
Saliba was one of the front-runners despite Konate not having signed an extension with Liverpool. There were initial rumours of preference, but it looks like it is not as simple as the Reds defender would’ve thought.
ESPN also reports that there is no unanimity on the Konate decision. Unlike Trent Alexander-Arnold, there are still doubts about the Frenchman’s fit at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, now that Saliba has signed an extension with the Gunners, the baton moves on to international teammate Konate, who will be hoping that the talks move through.
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Konate wants out
Ibrahima Konate has been offered an option to extend multiple times by Liverpool. The Frenchman’s agent was ready to see how things were, but since then, the fire has turned cold.
Konate refused a salary increase of £115,000-a-week as the Frenchman was offered an eight-figure annual contract. His current salary is reported to be £70,000-a-week and the new contract terms were a weekly salary of £185,000.
An approximate annual pay of £3.64m (€4.18m) to £9.62m (€11m) wasn’t enough to convince Konate to pen down an extension at Anfield.
The defender also probably has a higher salary expectation at the Santiago Bernabeu, apart from his intrinsic desire to start a new life in Spain.
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