MADRID — French international defender Ibrahima Konaté is set to become Real Madrid’s first major signing of the summer. Following the expiration of his contract at Liverpool, the 27-year-old has reached a verbal agreement to join the Spanish giants as a free agent.
Terms and Conditions
Reports from leading football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicate that a four-year deal has been agreed upon in principle. However, the formalization of the contract is currently pending the outcome of the Real Madrid presidential election, which is scheduled for June 7, 2026.
Conditional Transfer: The signing is specifically contingent on the re-election of current president Florentino Pérez.
Prioritizing the Bernabéu: Despite significant interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League, Konaté reportedly put those negotiations on hold to pursue the move to Madrid.
Departure from Liverpool
Konaté’s exit from Anfield marks the end of a highly successful five-year tenure. Liverpool confirmed on May 31, 2026, that the defender would leave as a free agent after both parties failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension due to disagreements over salary and performance-based bonus structures.
During his time on Merseyside, Konaté made 183 appearances and was a cornerstone of the squad that secured the 2024/25 Premier League title, along with two Carabao Cups and the FA Cup. In a farewell statement to the fans, the defender expressed his deep gratitude, noting, "This isn't an easy goodbye, but it's time for a new challenge and a new chapter."
This move is expected to be a cornerstone of a massive defensive overhaul at the Santiago Bernabéu ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, which is also set to feature a new managerial era for the club.
