Real Madrid have struck a \u2018verbal agreement\u2019 to sign a centre-back via free agency in 2026 in a colossal development for Liverpool and their own attempts to forge a new deal with Ibrahima Konate, according to a report.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no secret Konate<\/a>, 26, is on Real Madrid\u2019s radar. The France international is out of contract at Anfield in the summer and while the Reds have put extensions on the table, Konate is yet to commit.<\/p>\n The feeling on Merseyside for a long time is Konate is waiting for Real Madrid<\/a>, just as Trent Alexander-Arnold did one year ago.<\/p>\n After Real Madrid abandoned long-term plans to sign William Saliba after the Arsenal ace penned fresh terms in north London, Konate was widely viewed as Madrid\u2019s No 1 target at centre-back.<\/p>\n And while that was true for a while, the latest from FootMercato<\/a> claims Konate has slid down Madrid\u2019s wanted list.<\/p>\n Instead, Bayern Munich\u2019s Dayot Upamecano<\/a> \u2013 also out of contract next summer \u2013 is front and centre in their thoughts.<\/p>\n And per FootMercato journalist, Santi Aouna, Real Madrid have now struck a \u2018verbal agreement\u2019 with the 27-year-old.<\/p>\n The deal is not set in stone and obviously cannot be finalised until January 1, at which point Upamecano can sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, it is the surest sign yet it\u2019ll be Upamecano and not Konate who joins Real Madrid via free agency next summer. As such, signing Konate is \u2018no longer a priority\u2019 for Xabi Alonso\u2019s side, according to the report.<\/p>\n That won\u2019t be music to the ears of Konate who it\u2019s claimed \u2018would like to join\u2019 Real Madrid. But if the Spanish giant don\u2019t put a contract on the table, he is out of luck.<\/p>\n It\u2019s claimed Konate has other interest, most notably from PSG and Barcelona. But Real Madrid \u2013 the one club Konate apparently wanted above all others \u2013 seemingly dropping out of the race could also serve as a gigantic boost to Liverpool\u2019s hopes of convincing the defender to stay.<\/p>\n Interestingly, it\u2019s claimed Real Madrid officials were \u2018impressed\u2019 with Konate\u2019s display when the Frenchman helped Liverpool<\/a> keep a clean sheet against Los Blancos on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n However, it appears Real Madrid\u2019s decision to move for Upamecano and not Konate was made before the events of Tuesday night.<\/p>\n Whether Konate\u2019s unconvincing displays in the earlier part of the season are to blame was not made clear, but it would make sense if they factored into the equation.<\/p>\n Liverpool will sign new centre-back even if Konate stays<\/strong><\/p>\n Even if Liverpool do tie Konate down to a new contract, the Reds still intend to sign a new centre-half next summer.<\/p>\n A renewed push to sign Marc Guehi, this time via free agency, will be made after their close call last summer. Upamecano is also a confirmed target at Liverpool but he now appears destined for the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n Of course, Bayern Munich<\/a> losing Upamecano will strengthen their desire to snatch Guehi out of Liverpool\u2019s clutches. Bayern have already held talks with Guehi\u2019s representatives<\/a>.<\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk remains a world class defender but aged 34, Liverpool must safeguard their future. As is the case almost every summer, there\u2019ll be chances for Joe Gomez to leave for a club where he\u2019ll finally start regularly.<\/p>\n Giovanni Leoni is highly regarded within Anfield but is young and suffered a season-ending ACL injury on his Reds debut.<\/p>\n Latest Liverpool news<\/strong><\/p>\n In other news, Liverpool are progressing on arguably the most important deal they\u2019ll agree in 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n