Liverpool have made it crystal clear that Ibrahima Konaté won’t be bought on a budget this summer time, regardless of Actual Madrid’s ongoing makes an attempt to check the Reds’ resolve with what can solely be described as a laughable supply.
The La Liga giants, who’ve a behavior of performing like they personal the switch market, are providing Liverpool a payment within the area of simply €20–25 million (£16.8–21m) to signal the French centre-back this summer time. Liverpool, nevertheless, worth him at €50 million (£42m) and haven’t any intention of entertaining something much less.
Regardless of Konaté getting into the ultimate 12 months of his contract and telling the membership he’s open to a transfer to Madrid, Anfield chiefs are standing agency. They’ve already been burned by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s scenario and aren’t about to let one other key asset stroll for lower than what he’s price. The Reds are keen to run the danger of shedding Konaté at no cost in 2026 if it means avoiding being bullied by Florentino Pérez and co.
Whereas Trent slipped via the web, Liverpool’s stance is evident: if you would like Konaté now, you pay the asking value. In any other case, jog on. It’s the identical message that’s been despatched to Luis Diaz and Barcelona.
Actual Madrid, stuffed with their regular vanity, consider they maintain the playing cards on account of Konaté’s contract scenario. However Liverpool aren’t enjoying that recreation. They know they’re brief on centre-backs, particularly with Quansah having gone to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez’s damage historical past making him unreliable. Letting Konaté go now would depart the Reds dangerously skinny on the again.
Pérez might imagine he’s bought the higher hand, however this isn’t a storage sale. Konaté isn’t on clearance. Except Los Blancos come to the desk with €50 million money, they will neglect about it.
Liverpool’s message is easy: You need him? Pay up. In any other case, you’ll be able to have him in 2026 after we’re completed with him.
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