Ibrahima Konate has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season, and keeping with the transfer trend of the year for the Reds, the defender is in talks over a new contract.

Although the French international’s situation is not as urgent as Virgil van Dijk’s or Mohamed Salah’s, Liverpool are in talks to award Konate a new deal, with the £35m signing from RB Leipzig enjoying his best season yet for the Anfield side.

Konate was lauded as ‘outstanding’ by Martin Keown with the 25-year-old centre-back forming a strong partnership at the back with Van Dijk under Arne Slot, where the pair have played an integral role in Liverpool’s march to the Premier League title.

As a result, though, Konate’s form has attracted interest from Real Madrid, though the Spanish giants now have a new position on where they stand with signing the defender this summer.

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According to Marca, Madrid have moved away from their interest in Konate due to how much it would cost to sign the Liverpool defender, with Los Blancos taking a similar approach with other targets such as Arsenal centre-back William Saliba.

As per the report, Madrid’s new priority for a new defender is rumoured Liverpool target Dean Huijsen, who this season at AFC Bournemouth has been one of the breakout stars in the Premier League having only joined last summer.

Although Madrid shifting their focus on Huijsen is a problem for Liverpool given how strong their interest in the Spanish youth international is, the decision takes a lot of pressure of the Reds’ shoulders when it comes to what happens to Konate this summer.

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Indeed, the French centre-back has been exceptional for Liverpool this season, and if Madrid were to make an offer for Konate, there’s a real chance that the defender could have swapped Merseyside for the Spanish capital for next season.

Madrid shifting attention to other targets in the summer transfer window is a huge let-off for Liverpool, who could have lost a second key player to the reigning European champions with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely to join Real.

Yet Liverpool can’t afford to take their foot off the pedal when it comes to sorting out Konate’s future, with the defender a player who could marshall the backline for many seasons to come if he can stay fit and healthy.

Keeping hold of Konate has never been more important with Liverpool likely to lose Van Dijk this summer, and the Reds need to move fast to award the France international a new deal before time runs out next year.


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