Ibrahima Konate is in advanced talks with Real Madrid over a free transfer move following his departure from Liverpool.
The France international defender is close to agreeing terms on a move to the Bernabeu, with his Liverpool contract set to expire at the end of June.
Liverpool confirmed on Sunday that Konate would be leaving the club when his current deal comes to an end this summer.
The 27-year-old had been in discussions over extending his stay at Liverpool, but negotiations ultimately broke down between the two parties.
The sticking point in those talks was reported to be a disagreement over his value and wages, with the gap between Konate and the club proving too wide to bridge.
Konate made 183 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions during his time at the club.
During his spell at Anfield, the centre-half collected a number of major honours, including the Premier League, the FA Cup, and two League Cups.
The defender originally moved to Liverpool from RB Leipzig back in 2021, with the club paying £35m to secure his services at the time.
If the deal is completed, Konate will become the second Liverpool player in successive summers to make the move to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold made the same journey to the Spanish capital last summer, departing Liverpool without a transfer fee in a move that attracted significant attention.
The prospect of another high-profile departure on a free transfer is likely to raise fresh questions about Liverpool’s ability to retain their key assets ahead of contract expiry.
Real Madrid’s recruitment of Konate would further bolster their defensive options as the Spanish giants continue to strengthen their squad for the season ahead.
