Liverpool have been stung by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave the club for Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer – and they are afraid lightning might strike twice.
While the Premier League champions ultimately managed to get both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk to sign new contracts ahead of the summer, Arne Slot’s side are growing fearful that Los Blancos are eyeing another cheap raid on their squad.
Liverpool believe that history is starting to repeat itself with the case of Ibrahima Konate, Marca reports.
Konate a key figure for Liverpool
Konate’s contract with the Reds expires in June 2026, putting him in a group with Andrew Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher of first-team squad members whose deals are up in 12 months.
The France international, though, is the player that Liverpool would most want to retain. Aged 25, he has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €57.2 million, making him the club’s most valuable defender ahead of Trent. As things stand, he will also be one of only two players in the defensive unit aged under 28 when next season begins.
Marca, though, suggests the outlook for Liverpool on the Konate front looks bleak.
“Liverpool know how Los Blancos operate,” it warns. “Their suspicions lead them to believe history could repeat itself by seeing one of their most prominent players leaving without receiving anything in return.”
Konate has already turned down several attempts from Liverpool to extend his contract, fuelling hopes at Real Madrid that he might arrive on a free transfer next summer, just a Trent will do this time around.
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