Real Madrid have reportedly dropped out of the race to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman is in the final months of his contract at Anfield and will be free to sign a pre-contract with any club outside England from January 1st, 2026.

According to a report by David Ornstein in The Athletic, Real Madrid have informed Liverpool that they will not be signing Konate next year. Los Blancos have the option to agree a pre-contract with the defender from January, but have since dropped their interest after showing interest in the summer.

Konate has not signed a new deal at Anfield, as negotiations with the Reds continue. PSG remain interested in the 26-year-old, but have not made a move for the defender yet.

The defender has been in poor form this season, and it has been one of the reasons why the Reds have lost nine of their last 12 matches. CBS Sports released a video about Jamie Carragher reacting to Konate’s display against PSV, in which he said:

“Oh my god, Konate. Oh my god, Konate. Watch Konate here, oh my god! I’ve fucking had enough of them, honest to god. That Konate, I mean that’s a sackable offence for the manager, keeping fucking picking him. He should be sacked for that.”

Real Madrid’s decision to inform Liverpool comes as a surrpise, but could be linked with their move to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer. They had an agreement with the Englishman to join on a free transfer, but paid £10 million to sign him one month before his contract expired as they wanted him to play at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Vladimir Smicer wants Liverpool star to make decision amid Real Madrid interest

Former Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer urged Ibrahima Konate to decide on his future amid interest from Real Madrid. He claimed that the situation was not suitable for all parties and said:

“Personally, I don’t like this situation (with expiring contracts). I think for the players, it’s better when they know their future. At the moment, I can’t see if Ibrahim Konate is sure about his next move. Anytime he’s not performing at the top level, the fans question his contract situation.”

“It’s normal, it will always be like this. If you commit your future, then the fans will say, ‘Okay, maybe he was not good today’ – but because the situation is like this, anytime he makes a mistake, they will say, ‘He will go.’ That will be in his head.”

Ibrahima Konate joined Liverpool in 2021, after a spell at RB Leipzig.