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Florentino Perez wants to deliver former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate for Jose Mourinho should he win the Real Madrid presidential elections next week.
Madrid had pulled away from talks for Konate at the end of last year after previously signing his teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold. But the breakdown of his contract talks with Liverpool have opened the door to sign the 27-year-old France international on a free transfer.
Though Mourinho is still to be officially appointed, a three-year contract is in place for the 63-year-old to return once Perez is formally installed as president once again.
Mourinho’s priority is to rebuild the defence. He wants a dominant centre back, cover at right-back and a left-back to put pressure on Alvaro Carreras.
They have already secured Antonio Rudiger to a new contract but Mourinho sees Konate’s availability as an opportunist signing given his age and the physical presence he can bring.
Perez is happy to deliver as while wages could prove costly, it allows them to put resources set aside for transfer fees to other key positions.
Mourinho also wants to strengthen in midfield and could shake up his attack, depending on who wants to leave once he holds his first team briefings.
Incoming Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho sees Ibrahima Konate’s availability as an opportunist signing given his age and the physical presence he can bring
The former Manchester United and Chelsea boss is looking to bring in five trusted coaching staff alongside fitness coach Antonio Pintus and goalkeeper coach Luis Llopis.
All focus is now on whether Perez can succeed in the elections this Sunday, June 7, against his rival 37-year-old Enrique Riquelme
Real Madrid’s approximately 95,000 registered members will decide who will lead the world’s most commercially powerful club for the next four years. It is the first time since 2006 that there will be a choice on the ballot paper to be the club’s next president.
Perez, 79, was re-elected unopposed in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.
Should he be victorious then Madrid sources say he will push for agreement on a four year deal for Konate.
Tottenham’s Pedro Porro is another target under consideration though he is expected to stay as it stands with Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan an alternative.
