Ibrahima Konate 'agrees terms' with new club after leaving Liverpool

Ibrahima Konate has reportedly reached an agreement to sign for a major European club just days after his Liverpool exit was confirmed.

After five years as a Liverpool player, France international Konate has officially left the club following the expiration of his contract.

The centre-back arrived from RB Leipzig for £36million in the summer of 2021 and made 183 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, playing a key role in the club winning their 20th Premier League title in the 2024/25 season.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, it was widely reported that Konate and Liverpool were working on terms for a new contract that would see the defender extend his stay, but negotiations eventually collapsed.

"I am deeply saddened that I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to all of you at the last game. At that moment, I didn't know it would be my final time wearing this shirt in front of you," Konate wrote on Instagram after the news was confirmed.

Since then, many have questioned where Konate could play next, with several major clubs said to be interested in securing his signature after the World Cup this summer.

However, it has now been reported that the 27-year-old may have already finalised a deal with Real Madrid, as reports from Spanish outlet Radioestadio Noche claim that Florentino Perez has already settled on a deal for the Frenchman.

Real Madrid president Perez is currently undergoing a new set of presidential elections at the Spanish club and the report claims that he is using this breakthrough in negotiations with Konate as a part of his campaign for re-election.

READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate's damning comment in Liverpool goodbye statement changes everything about saga

The interest from Real Madrid comes as the club are reportedly looking to strengthen the centre-back position as one of their key priorities during the summer transfer window.

And the opportunity to sign one of the most promising young defenders in the Premier League for free, as they tried to do with Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, is seen as the perfect opportunity for Real Madrid.

For that reason, the La Liga giants have been monitoring Konate's situation for some time and we even linked with making a move earlier in the 2026/26 season, ultimately pulling out due to Konate's disappointing start to the campaign.

Liverpool identify surprise Ibrahima Konate replacement

Konate's departure will, of course, raise questions amongst Liverpool fans over who could come in to replace him over the summer.

Following the surprise sacking of manager Arne Slot, it remains unclear exactly what Liverpool's plans for the upcoming transfer window could look like, but following Konate's departure, one name has been linked with a return to Anfield.

According to some reports, Liverpool have held talks over bringing academy graduate Jarell Quansah back to the club after he left to join Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

The 23-year-old barely played and struggled to get regular minutes during Slot's first season and therefore left the club for £35million.

However, it has widely been reported that the deal included a buy-back clause of around £70m this summer, but that the figure would then drop to around £50m from the summer of 2027.

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Liverpool plan to look to young defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni to take more responsibility next season.