Football General Manager
- Konate turns down Saudi approach
- Has a year left on his current deal
- Has set his sights on move to Real Madrid
According to the Daily Mirror, a top Saudi club reportedly made informal contact with Konaté’s representatives to test the waters ahead of a possible summer bid. However, the former RB Leipzig defender made it clear that his priority lies in staying within Europe, which has left the Pro League club with no choice but to look at alternatives.
Konate is now into the final 12 months of his current deal at Anfield. While Liverpool are eager to extend his stay, negotiations have stalled. Real Madrid are especially keen, having identified the Frenchman as a future reinforcement in their defensive ranks. Although their preference is to secure Konate’s signature as a free agent in 2026, Madrid could act sooner if the opportunity arises.
Although no formal bids have yet been submitted, Real Madrid could test Liverpool’s resolve in the current window. However, there is a notable discrepancy between Liverpool’s asking price and Madrid’s valuation. The Reds would reportedly seek €50 million (£43m/$58m) for an immediate sale, while the Spanish champions are only prepared to pay around €20-25 million (£17m-21.5m/$23.5m-29m).
Liverpool now face a pivotal decision: cash in on Konate this summer, or risk losing a key asset for nothing in a year’s time. For Real Madrid, patience could yield a bargain if they’re willing to wait.
