LaLiga giants Real Madrid have withdrawn their interest in Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate following his blunder against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Real Madrid Withdraw Ibrahima Konate Interest
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is no longer a transfer target for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman’s contract at Anfield is due to expire next summer, and with no developments in terms of a new deal, it is largely expected that he will depart at the end of the campaign.
Los Blancos had been favoured to land the centre-back on a free transfer.
However, this is no longer the case, with The Athletic reporting that the LaLiga giants have informed the Reds ‘directly and unequivocally’ that they now have no interest in signing Konate.
It comes off the back of a string of poor performances. In his most recent outing, a 4-1 defeat by PSV in the Champions League, he made a crucial error in the lead-up to the visitors’ third goal.
The 26-year-old missed the ball as it was sent over the top, sending Ricardo Pepi in on goal, whose effort crashed against the post before Couhaib Driouech converted the rebound.
Driouech makes it 3-1 as PSV take control at Anfield ⚽@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/01Wb3mpaEH
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2025
Konate was substituted for Federico Chiesa almost immediately after the error.
Whether this specific blunder played a part in Real withdrawing their long-standing interest in the ex-RB Leipzig defender is unknown, however it certainly wouldn’t have helped his case.
Even so, the Sochaux academy graduate isn’t short for potential top-class suitors this summer.
Reports suggest that a return to Germany with Bayern Munich is possible, while a move to his home country of France with Paris Saint-Germain is also a realistic option for Konate.
Staying in Merseyside with Liverpool is another possible outcome. Several reports state that although he is linked with an exit, he is undecided whether he wants to pen a new deal or not.
Should he opt to depart though, the Anfield club are already eyeing alternatives. According to reports, Liverpool are set to enter the race for Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano.
Konate Decision a ‘Sackable Offence’ Says Jamie Carragher
As if Arne Slot wasn’t under enough pressure as is, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher claims the Dutchman’s insistence on continuing to start Konate is a ‘sackable offence’.
In a behind-the-scenes clip of CBS Sports’ coverage of the reigning English champions’ defeat by the Eredivisie leaders on Wednesday, Carragher ripped into both Konate and Slot.
“Oh my god, Konate. Oh my god, Konate. Watch Konate here, oh my god!” Carragher said.
“I’ve f*****g had enough of them, honest to god.
“That Konate, I mean that’s a sackable offence for the manager, keeping f*****g picking him. He should be sacked for that.”
It was the Reds’ third consecutive loss by a three-goal margin. Slot is now among the favourites and is being backed in the Premier League sack race betting odds market.
Should he depart, Jurgen Klopp is favoured to return in the next Liverpool manager odds market.
Konate Issues Statement After PSV Blunder
Following the Reds’ midweek defeat, Konate issued a statement in a rare post on social media.
He wrote: “We have to take this moment on the chest. Criticism is a part of football, and we’ll fight back every time and come through this storm.
“In these moments, the fans matter most. The ones who stand with us in the good times and the bad – the one who sing for us even in the difficult moments!
“Your voice and your support mean everything to us.
“We know we need to improve and we’ll keep fighting for you. Always.”
— Ibrahima Konate (@IbrahimaKonate_) November 27, 2025
Konate and the Reds return to action with a trip to London in the Premier League on Sunday.
Star forward Hugo Ekitike is an injury doubt for Liverpool vs West Ham due to a back issue.
