Real Madrid are closing in on a sensational signing from Liverpool, according to a report from Spain.
Xabi Alonso is still trying to strengthen his squad before the transfer window shuts, having already added €170 million of talent to the club’s ranks this summer.
Los Blancos have added Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold to Alonso’s defensive options, but the former Bayer Leverkusen boss still wants one more player before his business is done.
The Anfield club appears to be bracing itself for Konate’s departure. Arne Slot’s men are ready to continue their summer spending spree by signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace and could fund that deal entirely with the sale of the former RB Leipzig player.
Alonso is attracted by Konate’s aerial strength, ball winning and attitude, but they are unlikely to be willing to match Liverpool’s €40m asking price. OneFootball claims that the Bernabeu side are only willing to offer €25m.
There is a belief at Real Madrid that Guehi’s arrival at Anfield could be enough to shift the stance of the Premier League champions and tempt them into a sale.
Trent all over again
It is a situation that echoes that of Alexander-Arnold last year. Real Madrid made several half-hearted attempts to prompt Liverpool to sell the England international right-back, only for the Reds to stand their ground. Ultimately, Los Blancos spent €10m to sign Alexander-Arnold just a month before the end of his contract to make him part of their squad for the Club World Cup group stage.
With Konate having an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €40.4m, Liverpool’s demand is far from unreasonable.
The Reds’ hardball approach with Trent ultimately maximised their return in that case, and they are unlikely to buckle to Real Madrid’s pressure in the case of Konate.
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