Arnold's not enough? Real, Liverpool are going to lose their core DF...HERE WE GO Reporter Checked

May 13, 2025

Real Madrid, a prestigious Spanish club, is also interested in recruiting another key Liverpool defender, Ibrahima Konate, following Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Citing European football transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, British Give Me Sports reported on the 13th (Korea time) that `Real Madrid is seeking to recruit a new center back and that the list includes Ibrahima Konate.'

Konate is a defender with the potential to grow into a world class. Currently, Conate has yet to sign a contract extension with Liverpool.

Conate joined Liverpool back in 2021, and his contract is set to expire next summer. Liverpool are reportedly negotiating to extend Conate's contract.

However, if Real Madrid intervenes here, negotiations are likely to be difficult.

Liverpool will lose a lot of power if even Conate is lost to Real Madrid. This is because Alexander-Arnold, a key defender, is likely to leave for Real Madrid after this season.

Liverpool will have to drastically change its defense if it loses Alexander-Arnold and Conate. It is impossible to reinforce the offense in the summer transfer market, and we have no choice but to focus on recruiting big-name defenders.

The good thing is that Konate can expect at least a transfer fee income because he has one year left on his contract. Of course, the best option is to successfully enter a contract extension with Konate. Liverpool is also reportedly negotiating to extend the contract as its top priority.

If Conate is not interested in renewing the contract, Real Madrid should consider selling it if it offers a high transfer fee. Real Madrid are considering several candidates for centre-back. The list also includes Bournemouth's Dean Huysen and Arsenal's William Saliba. In particular, the target that Real Madrid wants is Saliba.

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Liverpool with his contract expiring this summer. He is expected to sign a six-year contract with Real Madrid.

For Liverpool, it is expected to be hit hard as they lose expensive players without any transfer fees. Fortunately, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, the team's ace, were re-signed. In other words, the core framework for the next season remains.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.