Ibrahima Konate has reportedly informed Liverpool about his intentions to move on and not renew his deal amid Real Madrid’s interest.

According to Fichajes, Liverpool could be set for a blow in their efforts to keep hold of Ibrahima Konate as the defender has informed of his desire not to sign a new deal. Real Madrid are the current favorites to land the French international on a Bosman deal, as a move to the Santiago Bernabeu could be closer than it appears.

Liverpool had a tremendous summer window, their biggest ever transfer spend, that saw the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak join on record fees. However, they did not end deadline day with the flourish one had expected, as they failed to land Marc Guehi on a free transfer.

They do have some level of defensive depth issues, as Guehi would have solved it to a larger extent. The other big problem they need to resolve concerns centre-back Ibrahima Konate and his impending future, with the France international already into the final year of his deal.

Liverpool were expected to make a contract offer for the Frenchman, as they view him as a big part of the long-term planning. There have been strong rumours of Real Madrid trying to sign the Liverpool mainstay on a free transfer next summer, although the Merseysiders were not too concerned about it.

Now, in a major update, the report states Konate has informed Liverpool that he does not wish to pen a new deal at the club. That could be a major boost for Real Madrid, with some sections already suggesting the Frenchman has agreed to join the Spanish giants.

Liverpool could suffer a double Real Madrid blow

Real Madrid are likely to use the same formula they had for Trent Alexander-Arnold to lure in Konate on a free transfer. The Spanish giants could deal another bitter blow if they came through with their other plan, which includes offering a lucrative deal to Guehi ahead of another Bosman move.

Signing both Guehi and Konate will be a huge statement of intent from Real Madrid, and a double blow for Liverpool, who have earmarked the Crystal Palace star to join them next summer. As for Konate, a £35 million signing from RB Leipzig, they are currently powerless to keep hold of him, as losing him for nothing will be a big dent for them financially and on the sporting side.