Real Madrid willing to pay only €20-25 million for Liverpool contract rebel

Liverpool have put their cards on the table: they are open to selling Ibrahima Konate this summer after the Frenchman, a target for Real Madrid, has refused renewal offers.

The centre-back’s contract expires in 2026 and he has so far turned down two proposals to extend his deal with the Premier League champions.

Fearing another case similar to that of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool are ready to part ways with Konate right away instead of losing him for free next summer, with a fee of €50 million set.

Real Madrid willing to pay €20-25 million

However, according to AS, Real Madrid are only willing to pay €20-25 million to sign Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool this summer.

Real Madrid’s Plan A has all along been to wait for the defender’s contract to run out and sign him for free in 2026. However, his name has re-entered the conversation now only as a way to apply pressure and possibly bring him in at a discount.

Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

But Real Madrid are firm – there will be no big spending. The Spanish capital giants feel they are in control: the player wants to come, and if Liverpool do not accept the offer now, they just have to wait a year. The pressure, from their view, is entirely on Liverpool.

Liverpool will not give in

Liverpool, for their part, will not give Konate away and will hold firm on their €50 million price tag.

At the same time, the Reds do not rule out keeping him and trying to convince him during the season – similar to what they did with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah this past season.

Liverpool’s ideal scenario would be a €50 million offer from another club. But Konate has made it clear that he only wants Real Madrid, who are not going to pay beyond €25 million.

As such, Arne Slot’ team have only two options left – accept Real Madrid’s €20-25 million now or gamble on convincing the player later, despite all signs pointing to a lost cause, with him already rejecting two renewal offers.