TRANSFER MARKET
Madrid could go for Konaté after the fiasco with Asencio
Published:23/06/2025 - 23:39h
Updated:23/06/2025 - 23:48h
Liverpool has not yet resolved the renewal of Ibrahima Konaté and Real Madrid could go for the Frenchman. The Whites have stopped blindly trusting Raúl Asencio
Real Madrid keeps open the possibility of signing another central defender and one of the latest names associated with the 'Casa Blanca' is Ibrahima Konaté. The defender of Liverpool comes from adding a couple of goals and assists in 42 matches (3,372 minutes) with the 'reds', being an undisputed starter in the team led by Arne Slot.
According to 'The Guardian', the 26-year-old defender would have no intention of renewing with Liverpool and, entering his last year of contract, his exit price may drop considerably. At the moment, the '5' is listed for around 60 million euros in Transfermarkt, 20 'kilos' more than what the English team paid RB Leipzig for his transfer in 2021 (40 M€).
Konaté currently earns around 4.2 M€ net salary and his agents only see feasible a renewal that considerably increases the player's salary, a requirement that the 'reds' have refused to accept. The same happens with Andy Robertson, who could leave the left side deserted due to his refusal to renew.
Asencio's mistakes force Xabi Alonso to look for another central defender
For Madrid, the signing of another central defender lies in the worrying slump of Raúl Asencio. In the second stretch of 2024/25, when Real Madrid's defense collapsed as a result of the plague of injuries, the team then led by Carlo Ancelotti found a 'patch' in the rear with the Canary Islander.
The youth player became a starter, accompanying Antonio Rüdiger in the central axis and, although the 'merengues' closed the year without winning anything, the bet on the 22-year-old defender seemed safe.
After the signing of Dean Huijsen and the arrival of Xabi Alonso, Madrid opted for Asencio as a companion to the former Bournemouth defender, but the '35' has had a forgettable performance in the Club World Cup.
Two childish mistakes cost him a penalty and an expulsion against Al Hilal and Pachuca, respectively, reopening at the same time the debate about the need to sign another central defender this summer. Rüdiger returned to action against the Mexicans, but the German cannot carry another year with the burden of playing all competitions without rest.
Nor does the return of Éder Militao and David Alaba, two players punished by injuries in the previous two seasons, generate confidence. If Asencio does not reverse his slump, Florentino Pérez will have no choice but to open the checkbook again to reinforce an increasingly weak defense, fully dependent on Thibaut Courtois' saves.
Liverpool fears another 'Alexander-Arnold case' with Konaté
Hence, one of the best valued alternatives is Ibrahima Konaté, although the board thinks of the French international more as a long-term bet, thinking about the summer of 2026. The Frenchman's contract ends at the end of 25/26 and the Whites would seek to repeat the formula with which they managed to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold this year.
Although Madrid finally had to pay compensation to Liverpool so that the full-back could play in the Club World Cup, his signing was a blow to the 'reds'. Therefore, if Konaté rules out renewing, it is likely that the Merseyside team will decide to sell him to avoid his departure at 'zero cost' next year.
Arne Slot's team could go for Marc Guéhi to cover the loss of the Frenchman, who is also on the radar of clubs such as Newcastle and Tottenham. Guéhi (Crystal Palace), in fact, is also followed by Barça, although the culés do not plan to make a formal offer this summer, even if the departure of Andreas Christensen or another of their central defenders is finalized.
