Ibrahima Konaté Set to Join Real Madrid Next Summer

Ibrahima Konaté has made his decision clear: he will not renew his contract with Liverpool. The French center-back has informed the club of his plans, paving the way for a free transfer to Real Madrid next summer.

At Anfield, the news has landed like a bombshell. Manager Arne Slot and the Liverpool board had counted on Konaté as a defensive pillar, but the 26-year-old has his sights set elsewhere—and his destination is already marked: Chamartín.

A Deal Sealed with Real Madrid

Konaté has given the green light to Real Madrid. He will join as a free agent and sign a long-term deal until 2031. For club president Florentino Pérez, it’s another strategic move that strengthens the squad without spending a cent on transfer fees.

The Frenchman had been weighing his future for months, convinced that his cycle in the Premier League was coming to an end. For his next step, he wanted a club capable of competing for every title—and Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid offered exactly that.

A World-Class Reinforcement

Madrid fans see in Konaté a defender who brings strength, speed, and composure on the ball. He fits perfectly alongside Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, or Arda Güler’s compatriot, Rafa Marín Huijsen, reinforcing a backline that has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.

At 26, Konaté arrives in his prime, with valuable experience in both the Premier League and the Champions League—two of the toughest stages in world football. For Real Madrid, he represents reliability and depth in defense.

In England, his departure is seen as a major blow. Konaté has been a regular starter and one of the most dependable center-backs in the league. But for the player, the chance to take the next step in his career is irresistible—and only a club like Real Madrid can offer that.

Another Free-Agent Masterstroke

This move recalls some of Real Madrid’s most successful free-agent signings, part of a transfer policy that strengthens the team without jeopardizing the club’s financial balance.

Konaté is expected to arrive in June, marking the start of a new chapter in his career and providing another reason for Madrid fans to dream of building an unstoppable team.

Next summer, the French defender will swap Anfield for the Santiago Bernabéu—a personal and professional leap that could prove decisive in his career.