Liverpool braced for repeat as Real Madrid circle Konate

Having already secured a deal to bring Trent Alexander-Arnold to the Bernabeu without a transfer fee — though they ultimately paid to finalise the move early — Madrid are now said to be preparing for a similar approach with Konate.

The French centre-back is entering the final year of his current contract at Anfield, and although Liverpool are believed to have made progress in negotiations over a renewal, no agreement has yet been reached.

This uncertainty has drawn interest from Madrid's decision-makers, who have made a habit of targeting players nearing the end of their deals to avoid costly fees.

Previous high-profile examples include Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba, all of whom joined the club after running down their contracts elsewhere.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, there is growing concern among Liverpool's board that they could lose another key player for nothing, with parallels being drawn to the Alexander-Arnold saga.

Konate made 42 appearances in all competitions under new manager Arne Slot and played a key role in the club's Premier League title triumph. Both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be monitoring his situation as he nears his peak years.

Despite the speculation, the 26-year-old has hinted that he expects to remain at Anfield for the upcoming campaign, though his long-term future remains uncertain as talks continue.