Real Madrid ready to admit DEFEAT over Ibrahima Konate
The Reds under sporting director have been busy adding quality all over the pitch - with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili all arriving.
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But centre-back has been suggested as an area potentially in need of attention considering the contract situation revolving around Konate.
The 26-year-old has got less than 12 months left on his current deal - expiring in June 2026. So far there has been no breakthrough over a new deal - with it earlier reported that the France defender would be seeking £200k per week to renew.
Konate a priority Madrid target
However those reports were superseded by ones stating that Konate had made up his mind and would DECLINE a renewal from the Reds.
Liverpool, it was mooted, would be powerless to prevent Konate from running down his deal and joining Real Madrid for free in 2026.
Only things are not working out that way.
Madrid have got reason to believe that adding Konate as a new free transfer is not going to be as easy as they first thought. First came the reports from France declaring that Liverpool had made a new contract offer to Konate.
Madrid plot Konate Plan B
And while that offer has not been answered as yet, it was enough to scare the Madrid media into reporting that adding Konate was now tougher than ever.
That's been followed up with a report in Defensa Central which states that Xabi Alonso is now activating Plan B as Konate slips from their grasp.
'Xabi Alonso is seriously considering the possibility of counting on Joan Martínez,' the report reads, adding that the Madrid academy graduate is now due a promotion.
© IMAGO
Madrid rolling back from Konate claims
The reason for the 17-year-old being drafted into the first-team picture is increasing uncertainty over the fate of Konate. Madrid media are now rowing back from their previous claims that the Konate deal was all but done.
That should give us an indication of how they feel Liverpool contract talks are going to go.
Konate should take a look around at what Liverpool have added this summer and provided the club can match his demands he needs to commit his future long-term to the reigning Premier League title holders.
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