Liverpool Launches €70 Million Offensive That Suffocates Real Madrid – Dream of Signing Konaté Goes Up in Smoke

Real Madrid’s hopes of luring Ibrahima Konaté to the Santiago Bernabéu have collapsed in dramatic fashion after Liverpool slapped a hefty €70 million price tag on the French defender. What initially looked like a strategic summer swoop has now turned into a failed pursuit, leaving the Spanish giants frustrated and defeated in the early days of the 2025 transfer window.

The Merengues, who had shown serious interest in strengthening their backline with Konaté, were ultimately priced out of the race. According to reports from Defensa Central and several major British media outlets, the club’s board has made it clear to new manager Xabi Alonso that any negotiations for Konaté are officially off the table. The price, they say, is simply too steep for a player with only one year left on his current deal.

Liverpool’s valuation of €70 million—despite the fact that Konaté earns just £80,000 per week and hasn’t extended his contract since signing in 2021—was deemed “unrealistic” by Madrid executives. With that, the Spanish side has decided to walk away, unwilling to get drawn into a bidding war that doesn’t favor them financially or strategically.

Yet, if history has taught us anything about Real Madrid, it’s that this withdrawal may only be temporary. Florentino Pérez and the club’s leadership have long perfected the art of waiting, often swooping in on top players once they become free agents. This tactic has brought them the likes of David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and most recently, Kylian Mbappé. The club is reportedly willing to wait until 2026, when Konaté becomes a free agent—unless Paris Saint-Germain beat them to the punch.

For now, however, Liverpool has won this round. The Reds have not only retained one of their top defenders but also struck a powerful blow to Real Madrid’s transfer ambitions. With Konaté still undecided on his long-term future and no contract extension in place, this saga is far from over—but Liverpool has bought itself crucial time.

Interestingly, despite Liverpool’s apparent determination to keep the Frenchman, negotiations over a new deal have yet to yield results. Konaté, now 26 and entering the prime of his career, is said to be demanding a significant salary bump in exchange for his loyalty. And with PSG keeping a close eye on developments, the pressure is mounting at Anfield.

For Madrid, the timing couldn’t be worse. Their defensive overhaul plan under Alonso required a physically dominant, fast, and ball-playing centre-back like Konaté. Missing out on him may force the club to pivot quickly toward other targets, possibly in Germany or the Premier League again.

But this saga also highlights a growing theme in European football: Liverpool’s re-emergence as a transfer heavyweight. Since appointing Arne Slot, the club has made its ambitions crystal clear. Reports suggest they’re closing in on Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, while also pursuing midfield wizard Florian Wirtz and striker Hugo Ekitike—who enjoyed a stunning season with 22 goals and 12 assists at Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Reds aren’t just defending their Premier League crown—they’re building a squad capable of dominating the UEFA Champions League for years to come. This €70 million stance on Konaté isn’t just about valuation; it’s about drawing a line in the sand. Liverpool will not be bullied into selling key players, even to powerhouses like Real Madrid.

Liverpool’s long-term strategy also involves retaining and rewarding core players. The club has already extended the contracts of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, anchoring both ends of the pitch with world-class talent and leadership. That stability, paired with their aggressive recruitment, signals a club that means business in the post-Klopp era.

For Real Madrid, this episode might feel like déjà vu. They’ve often targeted Liverpool stars in the past, sometimes with success—like the looming free transfer of Trent Alexander-Arnold—but also with several failed pursuits. The current Liverpool regime, however, is proving far more stubborn and strategic than before.

The blow dealt by Liverpool in this case could also carry symbolic weight. It sends a message to Europe’s elite that the Merseyside club is back in full force and won’t roll over just because Real Madrid is calling. In this new era under Arne Slot, Liverpool is not a selling club—it’s a superpower in its own right.

Meanwhile, for Ibrahima Konaté himself, the coming months will be crucial. He must decide whether to commit his prime years to Liverpool or consider a blockbuster move in 2026. His stock is high, but without a new contract, the risk of losing value looms. Whether he pushes for a renewal or tests the market remains to be seen.

Back at Madrid, Xabi Alonso’s transfer wishlist may need retooling. The new coach is keen on reshaping the squad in his own image, but missing out on Konaté limits his immediate defensive options. A backup plan is already in the works, though insiders say no alternative will match the profile Madrid had in Konaté.

In the grand chessboard of football transfers, this round ends with Liverpool standing tall and Real Madrid forced into retreat. Whether the next move is a waiting game or a counterattack, one thing is clear—Konaté’s future will remain one of the most intriguing storylines in European football.

And while the dream of seeing the Frenchman at the Bernabéu has gone up in smoke for now, don’t count Madrid out just yet. In football, nothing is truly over until the contract is signed—and even then, not always.