Real Madrid immediately decide on second summer signing after Ibrahima Konate
Real Madrid have already decided on the identity of their second summer signing as they close in on a deal for Ibrahima Konate, it has been reported.
Konate is set to leave Liverpool this summer as a free agent after five seasons at the club.
He had been in talks with the Reds over a new deal, but those discussions broke down without an agreement being reached.
In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Konate said he was 'deeply saddened' that he hadn't been able to bid Liverpool fans farewell at the last game of the season at home to Brentford.
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"At that moment, I didn't know it would be my final time wearing this shirt in front of you," he wrote.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything. I love you all and will carry Liverpool with me wherever I go."
His next destination looks set to be the Bernabeu, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the 27-year-old has reached a verbal agreement to join Real on a four-year contract.
READ NEXT: Ibrahima Konate rejected huge offer to sign for Real Madrid on free transfer
The deal cannot be completed until after the Real presidential election takes place on June 7, as it has to be approved by the club's board.
But according to The Athletic, Real are already pressing on with their transfer plans ahead of the return as manager of Jose Mourinho - who has also reportedly signed a contract that cannot be made official until the election is over.
Real Madrid targeting World Cup star
It is claimed that Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries, who has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, is their next target.
Like in the case of Konate, a move for Dumfries should not be a particularly difficult one to get over the line as he has a €25 million release clause in his Inter contract.
The 30-year-old has been named in Netherlands' World Cup squad by Ronald Koeman and will hope to play a starring role at the tournament.
Real need to strengthen at right-back in the summer following the departure of long-serving captain Dani Carvajal, who will leave as a free agent at the end of next month.
They have previously been linked with a move for Manchester United star Diogo Dalot, but their new permanent manager Michael Carrick is believed to be keen on the Portugal defender staying at Old Trafford.
That's according to TEAMtalk, who claimed last month that United are 'increasingly open' to holding talks with Dalot over a new contract and that Carrick's opinion does 'carry significant weight internally' ahead of a summer of preparing to compete in next season's Champions League.
Dalot started all but three of Carrick's matches in charge last season after the former United midfielder replaced Ruben Amorim in January.
Carrick was initially appointed on an interim basis but was given a two-year contract last month after guiding the club to third place in the Premier League table.
Topics: Real Madrid, Transfers, Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan
Ryan Smart