Ibrahima Konate turned down huge offer to sign for Real Madrid on free transfer

Ibrahima Konate has reached a verbal agreement with Real Madrid after turning down a huge alternative offer on the table.

Konate, a signing from RB Leipzig back in 2021, failed to agree a new contract with Liverpool after negotiations dragged on.

The France international's deal expires in the summer and over the weekend, Liverpool confirmed that he would not be extending his stay at Anfield.

Konate took to Instagram to react to his exit, stating that he is "deeply saddened that I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to all of you at the last game" as he claimed he "didn't know it would be my final time wearing this shirt in front of you".

Things are accelerating in regards to Konate's next move, however, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Konate has verbally agreed to join Real.

According to the Italian transfer guru, Konate is ready to pen a four-year deal in the event that Florentino Perez is re-elected as Real president.

Real had initially ruled out signing Konate after his form dropped but are now set to bring him to the Bernabeu as one of Jose Mourinho's priority signings in his second stint.

Konate wasn't short of offers though and turned down big-money offers from Saudi Arabia to commit to Real.

As per journalist Ben Jacobs, Saudi giants Al Ittihad were keen on Konate but he is to join former Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Spanish capital.

Konate's move is not set to go through before the Real presidential elections are complete on Sunday but the two parties had already discussed terms in the past before conversations picked up again.

Mike McGrath of The Telegraph states that Konate “decided to walk away” for a new challenge - having said he was “close to an agreement" in April.

Konate played 183 times for Liverpool, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.