Real Madrid keeps planning its future and is already working on strengthening its defense for the 2026-27 season. According to "Madrid-Barcelona", Ibrahima Konaté is very close to becoming a new Madridist player starting June 30, 2026, when his contract with Liverpool ends.
The French center-back will be a free agent and will be able to arrive at Santiago Bernabéu without a transfer fee. He will sign a contract for five seasons, in a deal led directly by president Florentino Pérez.
Konaté wants to be a starter at Real Madrid
Konaté's arrival at Real Madrid won't be under just any conditions. The 26-year-old defender is very clear that he wants to land at Chamartín with the role of an undisputed starter. To achieve this, he has set a condition that Florentino is willing to accept: the departures of Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba must take place.
Both also finish their contracts in 2026 and Real Madrid's decision is not to renew them. This way, Ibrahima Konaté will have a guaranteed spot in Xabi Alonso's starting eleven... forming a partnership at the heart of the defense alongside Dean Huijsen, one of the club's top prospects.
A defense in full transformation
Real Madrid is preparing a deep overhaul of its defense. Rüdiger, despite his intensity, has been involved in several internal conflicts and isn't part of the future plans. In Alaba's case, injuries have reduced his prominence and Florentino Pérez has already been opening the door for him to leave for free in the summer of 2025.
Konaté's arrival will bring a breath of fresh air to the white defense, providing physicality, speed, and leadership. Standing 6 ft. 4 in. tall (1.94 meters), he is a specialist in aerial duels and a player with experience at the European elite after several years playing for Liverpool.
He will sign in January 2026
According to FIFA regulations, Ibrahima Konaté will be able to sign freely with Real Madrid starting January 1, 2026... six months before his contract with Liverpool expires. That will be the key date to finalize an agreement that, barring any surprises, is practically closed.
Florentino Pérez wants to make sure Real Madrid keeps having one of the most solid defenses in Europe and considers Konaté the ideal center-back to lead the future project.
The signing of the French center-back would be a real statement in the market. The defender, an international with his national team and with Champions League experience, will arrive at the peak of his career.
If everything goes as planned, Real Madrid will have a new leader in defense secured starting in 2026. This will also meet the conditions demanded by the player and mark another step in its generational renewal process.