Spanish giants Real Madrid have officially withdrawn their interest in Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, delivering a clear message to the Premier League club about their transfer intentions.
The La Liga side directly informed Liverpool that they have "no interest" in signing the French international, despite widespread speculation linking the 26-year-old with a move to Spain as his contract approaches its final months.
Contract Situation and Madrid's Stance
Konaté's current deal with Liverpool expires at the end of the season, making him eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from January 1. However, Real Madrid's unexpected withdrawal from any potential deal has created uncertainty about the defender's future.
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid communicated their position "directly and unequivocally" to Liverpool officials, stating they were not pursuing the French defender despite the heavy transfer speculation.
Liverpool's Struggles and Konaté's Performance Issues
Liverpool had been working to extend Konaté's stay since 2023, with sporting director Richard Hughes taking over renewal negotiations after his appointment in June 2024. However, the team's difficult start to the season under new coach Arne Slot has complicated matters.
Konaté has been a regular starter under Slot but has struggled alongside his teammates during what has become a challenging Premier League title defence. The defender faced heavy criticism after a costly mistake during Liverpool's 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven, which marked their ninth loss in 12 games.
The situation worsened when Konaté was substituted after just 55 minutes against PSV, following a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. Statistical analysis reveals that in Premier League matches featuring Konaté this season, Liverpool have conceded 17 goals at an average of one every 58 minutes, placing increased scrutiny on his performances.
Player Response and Team Pressure
Amid mounting criticism, Konaté addressed Liverpool supporters directly through a message on social media platform X. He acknowledged the team's struggles while emphasizing the importance of fan support during difficult times.
"We have to take this moment on the chest," Konaté wrote. "Criticism is part of football, and we'll fight back every time and come through this storm. In these moments, the fans matter most."
The pressure extends beyond Konaté, with head coach Arne Slot facing increasing scrutiny and senior players including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also questioned about their form.
With Real Madrid now distancing themselves from Konaté and his contract situation unresolved, the defender's long-term future at Anfield remains uncertain as the January transfer window approaches.
