Ibrahima Konate has reportedly reached an agreement to join a major European club, just days after his departure from Liverpool was confirmed.
After five years as a Liverpool player, French international Konate has officially left the club following the expiration of his contract.
The centre-back joined from Leipzig for £36m in the summer of 2021 and made 183 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, playing a key role in the club's 20th Premier League title win in the 2024/25 season.
During the 2025/26 season it was widely reported that Konate and Liverpool were negotiating a new contract that would keep the Frenchman at Anfield, but talks ultimately fell through.
"I am deeply saddened that I did not have the opportunity to greet you all at the last match. At that moment I did not know that it would be my last time wearing this shirt in front of you," Konate wrote on Instagram after his departure was confirmed.
Since then, many fans have wondered where the French defender will continue his career, with several big clubs said to be interested in signing him after the World Cup this summer.
However, it is now reported that the 27-year-old may have already finalized the deal with Real Madrid.
According to Spanish outlet Radioestadio Noche, president Florentino Perez has reached an agreement for the transfer of the French defender.
Perez is currently going through a new presidential election process at the Madrid club and the report claims that the progress in negotiations with Konate is being used as part of his re-election campaign.
Real Madrid's interest comes at a time when the club is looking to strengthen its defense, one of the main priorities of the summer transfer window.
The opportunity to sign one of the Premier League's best defenders on a free transfer is considered an ideal opportunity for the Spanish giants, just as they attempted to do with Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer.
For this reason, Real Madrid have been monitoring Konate's situation for some time and were even linked with a move for him earlier in the 2025/26 season, before pulling out due to the player's unconvincing form at the start of the season.
Konate's departure naturally raises questions among Liverpool fans about his potential replacement.
After the surprise dismissal of Arne Slot, it is still unclear what Liverpool's plan will be in the transfer window, but one name being mentioned for a return is that of Jarell Quansah.
Liverpool have reportedly held talks to bring back the club's academy product, who left last summer to join Bayer Leverkusen for £35m.
The 23-year-old had few minutes and struggled to secure a regular place in the lineup during Arne Slot's first season, leading to his departure.
However, it is reported that the deal included a buy-back clause of around £70m this summer, with the amount set to drop to around £50m from the summer of 2027.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are believed to be planning to give more responsibility to young defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni next season./Express newspaper/
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