- Reds defender in demand
- Madrid interested in deal next summer
- Markus Babbel tells him to stay
Getty Images SportIbrahima Konate told he can't leave 'best club in the world' as Real Madrid plot free transfer for Liverpool defender

Virgin Media
✅ Combines superfast home broadband and live Premier League broadcasting into a single household bill.
✅ Allows you to bolt TNT Sports onto an existing TV package on a 31-day rolling basis for around £25 a month.
✅ Broadband-only customers can use the free Stream box to add and drop the Sky Sports HD pack on a 30-day rolling basis.

EE
✅ The "Sport Plus" tier bundles both Sky Sports (via NOW) and TNT Sports into one seamless package to cover all 267 televised matches.
✅ Allows you to upgrade or downgrade your TV tier each month without breaking your 24-month broadband contract.
✅ Includes the Apple TV 4K or EE TV Box Pro for high-end viewing and easy multi-room streaming setups.

HBO Max
✅ Streams all 52 TNT Sports matches, making it the exclusive home for the early 12:30 pm Saturday fixtures.
✅ Provides exclusive coverage of select full midweek matchdays.
✅ Combines live Premier League football with premium HBO shows and Warner Bros movies in a single app ecosystem.

NOW
✅ Streams the entire Sky Sports Premier League catalogue over the internet to smart TVs and mobile devices without a satellite dish or installation wait.
✅ Offers 31-day rolling contracts (for £34.99/month) so you can cancel during the summer off-season.
✅ Offers 24-hour Day Memberships for £14.99 if you only want to watch a single specific derby or match.
Virgin Media
✅ Combines superfast home broadband and live Premier League broadcasting into a single household bill.
✅ Allows you to bolt TNT Sports onto an existing TV package on a 31-day rolling basis for around £25 a month.
✅ Broadband-only customers can use the free Stream box to add and drop the Sky Sports HD pack on a 30-day rolling basis.

EE
✅ The "Sport Plus" tier bundles both Sky Sports (via NOW) and TNT Sports into one seamless package to cover all 267 televised matches.
✅ Allows you to upgrade or downgrade your TV tier each month without breaking your 24-month broadband contract.
✅ Includes the Apple TV 4K or EE TV Box Pro for high-end viewing and easy multi-room streaming setups.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Konate has been heavily linked with a potential move to the Bernabeu next summer. The Spanish giants are said to be interested in signing him on a free transfer once his deal expires next summer, having already signed Trent Alexander-Arnold for nothing.
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Konate remains a key player for Arne Slot's side, making 42 appearances in all competitions last season. He has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup during his time at Anfield, and may be minded to pursue a new challenge. Babbel, though, believes he should remain at Anfield, because there is no better club than the Reds.
WHAT BABBEL SAID
Babbel told Gameshub: “Ibrahima Konate should stay at Liverpool. Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, but I’m not sure you can enjoy playing there because of the pressure and expectation on your shoulders.
“Liverpool is a huge football club and are one big family; everyone looks after each other. You can still earn the best money playing for Liverpool and you’re playing in the best league in the world. What more could you want?
“As far as competing to be the best, Liverpool play a great style of football as well. I saw a similar style to Liverpool while watching Paris Saint-Germain against Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-final; PSG dominated the game! If you join Real, you might be going to the best club in the world, but they are definitely not the best team, and I can’t see them becoming the best team in the next couple of years.
“If I was in Konate’s position, I’d ask myself why I’d want to leave the best club in the world?”
(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Liverpool play Preston in their first pre-season friendly this weekend. Konate could well be involved.
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