Real Madrid are going through a turbulent phase. After signing Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti, nobody predicted that the Spaniard would leave in January.
However, his position became untenable after he lost the dressing room, and the results started going against him.
Now, Alvaro Arbeloa is in charge, and thus, Madrid’s transfer strategy will also change. Alonso wanted to sign a defender in January.
Injuries to key defenders have left Madrid short of options. However, the board declined Alonso’s request to sign a defender in January.
Also, Real Madrid’s defensive issues became worse at the start of January. While competing in the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah, Antonio Rudiger once again picked up an injury issue.
With his contract also expiring at the end of the season, the club are already planning for change at the heart of their defence.
Now, the Los Blancos had a golden opportunity in the January transfer window to sign a Liverpool defender.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid were offered the chance to sign Ibrahima Konate in January for around €20 million.
However, Madrid have declined the offer. Instead, they remain focused on alternative targets, with Nico Schlotterbeck and Marc Guehi still high on their shortlist.
For Liverpool, the situation remains delicate. Liverpool signed Konate for £35 million from RV Leipzig in 2021. The French international’s will expire in the summer of 2026.
If they accept that Konate will leave as a free agent, a January sale could help recover part of their initial investment and fund a replacement.
But for now, Real Madrid have made their decision clear. They will not be signing Konate in January and assess the situation next summer after observing his performance for the rest of the season.
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