Ibrahima Konaté says farewell to Liverpool to reunite with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid

After weeks of speculation, Ibrahima Konaté has reportedly decided to leave Liverpool, paving the way for a reunion with former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid.

According to Marca, Los Blancos have been silently preparing a move for the 27-year-old French centre-back, whose contract with Liverpool runs until June 2026. With contract extension talks stalling, Madrid have accelerated discussions, viewing Konaté as a perfect long-term successor to David Alaba.

In a message to Liverpool fans, Konaté stated:

“Liverpool gave me everything memories, trophies, and incredible teammates. But now, it’s time for a new challenge. Reuniting with Trent at Madrid is something I’m truly excited about.”

Since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £36 million, Konaté has made over 120 appearances for the Reds, becoming a vital figure in their defensive setup. Despite battling injuries in his early days, his strong performances last season with 42 appearances in all competitions – helped Liverpool stay in contention for multiple titles.

Real Madrid are now finalizing details to bring Konaté in as a cornerstone of their next-generation defense, joining a backline already bolstered by free agents like Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Kylian Mbappé, and recently, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

For Liverpool, Konaté’s departure is a major blow, especially as Virgil van Dijk enters the final stages of his career. With the summer transfer window heating up, manager Arne Slot will need to act swiftly to find a suitable replacement.

The Konaté move signals yet another major shift at Anfield as the Klopp era gives way to Slot’s vision for the future.