Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate nearing Real Madrid move in 2026

France defender Ibrahima Konate is close to joining Real Madrid on a free transfer when his Liverpool contract ends in June 2026.

Konate’s contract status update France defender Ibrahima Konate is in advanced talks with Real Madrid regarding a potential free transfer move. The discussions are nearly finalized as the 27-year-old prepares to leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of June 2026. Liverpool confirmed on Sunday that Konate would depart the club once his current deal concludes. This move follows recent reports about his impending switch to the Bernabeu-based club. ## Reasons behind departure Previously, Konate had engaged in negotiations with Liverpool to extend his stay at Anfield, but those talks ended without resolution. The breakdown stemmed from a significant difference between the player’s valuation and Liverpool’s wage offer. Despite this, Konate has made a total of 183 appearances across all competitions during his time with the Reds. During his tenure, he contributed to Liverpool’s triumphs in the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cup titles. ## Transfer background details Konate’s journey to Liverpool began in 2021 when he joined from RB Leipzig for a fee of £35 million. Now, he is poised to become the second player to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid without a transfer fee in consecutive summers. This follows Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free transfer departure to the Spanish giants in the prior summer. ## Club confirmation and reporting Liverpool had previously announced that Konate would leave the club when his contract expires. The player’s impending move has been widely reported, aligning with earlier coverage of his potential switch. The agreement over personal terms with Real Madrid appears close to completion, setting the stage for his next career chapter.