Real Madrid have started work on a bargain swoop for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate after already snapping up Trent Alexander-Arnold for free, reports claim.
Konate is rapidly approaching the last 12 months of his deal at Anfield and despite progress being made in talks over an extension, he is yet to put pen to paper.
That has reportedly attracted the attention of Real’s hierarchy, who have historically moved for players about to run out of contract to avoid paying hefty transfer fees.
In recent years, this approach landed them Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba after the big-name trio allowed their deals to run down at their respective clubs.
Konate has been offered fresh terms by Liverpool but he does not appear close to signing on the dotted line, and speculation over his future continues to build.
According to Marca, Liverpool’s directors already fear a repeat of the nightmare scenario that could see another of their players join Real for nothing.
Real Madrid have started work to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer
That’s according to Marca after Real snapped up Trent Alexander-Arnold from Anfield
Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are said to fear a repeat nightmare scenario
Centre back Konate will turn 27 at the end of next season and as he approaches his prime years, both PSG and Real have been credited with an interest.
He made 42 appearances across all competitions for Arne Slot’s side last season, scoring twice, and helped them to win the Premier League title in style.
But despite the fervent speculation linking him to the Bernabeu, Konate appeared to confirm he would remain with the Reds for next season at least.
He took to social media earlier this week and penned a lengthy message for supporters, which he rounded off by declaring: ‘Next season, we go again!’
Speaking after the Reds’ final game of the season, Konate also branded the rumours around his protracted contract negotiations as ‘completely fake’.
‘You know, I just want to say one thing: Everything you saw on social media is completely fake,’ Konate said. ‘I didn’t even ask for something from the club. They made me an offer, and I replied to them with something, that is it.
‘The rest (speculation) that I want to wait until the end… I want this, all of it is completely fake. And even the big journalists said in November I am very close to signing the deal. I was like: “Ah, they have more information than me?”
‘Because it was not true at that moment and that is why I was a little bit mad because it was not true at this moment. I knew at one moment people would think I didn’t want to sign the contract but I was never close to signing it. We will see what will happen.’
Konate is approaching the final 12 months of his deal and he is yet to sign an extension
Real and president Florentino Perez have a history of securing bargain swoops for superstars
Konate made 42 appearances under Slot and appeared to confirm he will stay next season
Konate moved to Anfield from RB Leipzig in a bargain deal worth £36m in 2021.
Marca have also reported that Real are eyeing up Arsenal left back Myles Lewis-Skelly on a free transfer, as well as Valencia youngster Cristhian Mosquera.
