Real Madrid return for Ibrahima Konate after facing William Saliba rejection as Liverpool contract nears expiry

Madrid are monitoring Konate with a view to signing him as a free agent in 2026, according to a report from ESPN. The Spanish giants have reportedly turned their attention to the France international after their primary defensive target, Saliba, agreed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.

Saliba, 24, was reportedly Madrid's top target to bolster their defence next summer, with the club having planned to make a move for him in the summer of 2026 when he would have had just one year remaining on his previous contract. Saliba's decision to sign a five-year extension has forced Madrid to pivot to other options on their shortlist, however.

With his contract at Anfield set to expire in June 2026, Konate has emerged as the ideal alternative. A move for the 26-year-old would align with the club's recent successful strategy of acquiring high-profile players on free transfers, which has previously seen them land Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba. However, the report suggests there is not unanimous agreement within the Madrid hierarchy over a move for Konate, with some internal debate taking place over the Liverpool defender's suitability.

Real Madrid's search for a top-tier central defender is part of their forward planning for 2026, as the club anticipates that Alaba will depart when his contract expires, while Rudiger has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. While Konate is now being seriously considered, Leipzig's Castello Lukeba is another name on Madrid's list of targets. The club will continue to monitor Konate's situation at Liverpool as they look to add another centre-back to a group that includes Eder Militao and recent signing Dean Huijsen.