Why Real Madrid WILL NOT sign defender Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool EXPLAINED

Ibrahima Konate's dream of joining Real Madrid is all but over with the Spanish giants having told Liverpool that they are no longer in the race for their centre-back.

France international Konate's Liverpool contract runs out at the end of the current campaign and he had stalled all talks with the English champions in the hope of joining Real Madrid next summer.

Why did Real Madrid exit Konate transfer saga?

Despite initial talks giving the centre-back the confidence that Real Madrid really wanted him, the latest assessments in the Spanish capital were not favourable for a deal to take place. Konaté, despite his intimidating physical attributes, has not been consistent enough to be handed a contract, Real Madrid analysts reportedly told their higher-ups. Dean Huijsen is yet to establish himself as a trusted starter despite Éder Militão's injury concerns and Raúl Asencio's inexperience. Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are said to be leaving soon, and Real cannot afford any slip-ups in finalising their options for the backline. This crisis situation is also said to have influenced Konaté's fate.

The way talks over the personal terms were progressing with the player's camp and Real was not ideal either, Fichajes said in a report. They could not find a middle ground, meaning the possibility of the talks being stretched over many days was real, Fichajes said in a report. The club was not interested in such an impasse and ultimately decided to choose “stability over risk”, the report said.

Real Madrid are already looking for alternatives, with a priority on solidity, leadership, and the ability to adapt to their elite demands. They are actively searching for promising young defenders across Europe, and even roping in a La Liga star is not ruled out, Fichajes said. However, the report did not mention Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, who was earlier named a frontrunner to land a Real contract alongside Konaté.

What next for Konate?

The 26-year-old Premier League winner is wanted by several European giants despite the La Liga setback. Liverpool will be more than happy to offer him a contract extension, which will result in him becoming the leader of the team's backline in the post-VVD era. Marc Guehi is also rumoured to join the Reds, which means he may get another rock-solid partner once his captain leaves the club. With the FIFA World Cup fast approaching, Konate’s primary goal will be to play top-class football to remain in the good books of Didier Deschamps, who has no shortage of talent to choose from.