Real Madrid has made one of the signings of the summer with the arrival of Alexander-Arnold, for whom it had to pay a minimal amount to secure his services since the Club World Cup, but for much less than his contract value at the end of his contract with Liverpool. The English club and Los Blancos could be set for a repeat performance, as Konaté, one of the best center backs in Europe, is out of contract in June 2026 and there is still no news of any negotiations.
Real Madrid fishing in Liverpool
Although Trent Alexander-Arnold has not yet adapted to Real Madrid as many had expected, he has shown glimpses of what he can offer on the pitch and his quality. He has a silver toe on his right foot, that much has already been proven, but his speed, his ability to get into the box, and his ability to break lines when dribbling are some of his strengths that will soon be seen in Xabi Alonso‘s team. These characteristics have earned him a reputation as one of the best right-backs in the world.
Real Madrid was closely monitoring the English international’s contract renewal with Liverpool, which never materialized, in order to sign him on a free transfer, but in the end, they had to pay a minimal fee to release him before June 30 so that he could be registered for the Club World Cup. But Real Madrid pulled a fast one to get one of the most decisive players on the continent and convinced him to join their new project.
Real Madrid goes for Konaté
Liverpool could face the same problem in the new season that is about to begin. Ibrahima Konaté, one of the most decisive center backs in European soccer, will be out of contract in June 2026. By that date, the French center back will have just turned 27, an ideal age for a player in his position.
The departure of Rudiger could be a reality at the end of next season, as he also has a contract with Real Madrid and could decide to make the leap to Arab football and sign his last big contract as a professional. The Real Madrid board are well aware of this and are already working to strengthen the squad in anticipation of this possible scenario. Unlike Alexander-Arnold, Konaté would come at no cost, as there is no Club World Cup or other competition that would require him to join before the end of his contract, so the deal would be a win-win for Florentino Pérez.
This is Konaté
Konaté is one of those center backs who intimidates any striker. He is tall and burly, measuring 1.94 m and weighing 95 kg. He has shown that he can adapt to playing in a two-man defense, as he does at Liverpool, or in a three-man defense, as he has done with France, something that fits in well with Xabi Alonso‘s philosophy. He is very good in the air, strong in one-on-one situations, and very fast for his height and weight. He signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2021 and made his debut for the French national team in 2022, becoming a regular in the starting lineup.
Real Madrid is once again targeting Liverpool. Konaté’s contract expires next summer and he is a real target for Los Blancos. Playing in the Spanish capital is a huge thrill for any footballer, and in the case of the Frenchman, who would be sharing a dressing room with some of his compatriots, these could be compelling reasons for him to decide to swap English football for LaLiga. This year it was Alexander-Arnold, and next year it could be the French center back’s turn.