It is no longer unlikely that Real Madrid’s management will make an official offer to one of Liverpool’s stars immediately this summer, rather than waiting until the summer of 2026, according to Marca.
The vision within Real Madrid has become clear: the team needs to strengthen its center-back position, and delaying or waiting until next year is a dangerous proposition that could negatively impact the club’s progress in various competitions this season.
Accordingly, according to Marca, Florentino Pérez’s management is considering sending an official offer to Liverpool to sign Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires next summer and who has a near-agreement with Real Madrid to move to the Santiago Bernabéu on a free transfer.
The management considers signing a new center-back “very urgent,” but the major obstacle preventing Konate from joining is that Liverpool will not allow the player to leave for less than €50 million, while Real Madrid only intends to pay a maximum of €25 million.
The player’s desire to move immediately to the Spanish capital may play a role in bringing the two sides together, especially since Liverpool’s management may consider making a profit on the French international rather than losing him for free next year.
In the same context, other reports indicate that Real Madrid not only wants to sign Konate, but is also planning to sign Arsenal defender William Saliba. Perez’s dream has become to bring the two players together next season and get rid of all the players currently in Xabi Alonso’s squad in the same position, with the exception of new signing Dejan Huijsen.
It is worth noting that Saliba’s contract with Arsenal also expires next year, and it is said that the French defender is open to a move to Real Madrid and is even willing to take a pay cut if necessary. Meanwhile, the Gunners are desperately trying to convince him to renew and continue with Mikel Arteta’s exciting project.
