Liverpool believe deal for €40m star is a ‘SURE THING’ as major contract announcement made

Liverpool have been hit with another storm that could change everything about their future defence. Just days after the transfer window closed, news from Spain has confirmed the fears many Reds fans had been whispering about all summer. Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool’s 26-year-old defender, has turned down a third contract offer from the club. And now, reports claim he has already decided to leave Anfield and join Real Madrid as a free agent when his current deal expires in June 2026. For a player once seen as the future of Liverpool’s back line, the developments have sent shockwaves through the football world.

The Spanish outlet Marca has gone as far as saying Liverpool now consider Konaté’s exit a “sure thing.” That phrase alone sums up the mood inside the club. At Anfield, there is no more hope that the French defender will stay. Instead, the conversations have shifted to how the club should prepare for life without him and how to control the fallout when one of their most important players walks out for free.

For Liverpool supporters, this feels like a nightmare that has happened too many times before. Big names once tied to the heart of the club have walked away in controversial fashion. From Michael Owen’s move to Real Madrid, to Philippe Coutinho’s messy departure for Barcelona, to Georginio Wijnaldum leaving on a free, the wounds are still fresh. And now Konaté looks set to follow Trent Alexander-Arnold — who left for Madrid earlier this summer — out of Anfield.

The story of Konaté’s exit is not just about money or contracts. It is about power, ambition, and dreams. Real Madrid have a way of calling players in a way no other club can. The Bernabéu is not just a stadium, it is a stage. For decades, the greatest talents in football have dreamed of wearing the white shirt. Konaté has now joined that list. What makes it even more dramatic is that he is being encouraged by his close friend and France captain, Kylian Mbappé. In an interview on Telefoot last week, Konaté joked that Mbappé is “calling him every two hours” to convince him about Madrid. Behind the joke lies the truth: Mbappé’s influence is powerful, and Madrid’s project is seductive.

For Madrid, Konaté is a smart and strategic target. Their first-choice plan was Arsenal’s William Saliba, another French defender who has blossomed into one of the best centre-backs in the world. But Saliba’s contract with Arsenal runs until 2027, and prising him away from the Emirates would cost a massive transfer fee. Madrid, always sharp when it comes to opportunities, see Konaté’s expiring deal as a golden chance. Why pay €100 million for Saliba when they can get Konaté for free?

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been scrambling to keep him. They made three contract offers, each one improved, but Konaté rejected them all. According to Spanish reports, the defender has already made up his mind. The decision is final. For Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, this is a major blow. He is still in the early stages of rebuilding the squad, and losing one of his key defenders will complicate his plans. The news also adds tension inside the dressing room. Players and fans alike are watching closely to see how the club reacts.

The comparisons with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure are impossible to ignore. Trent, a local hero and symbol of Liverpool’s identity, left for Madrid under a cloud of controversy. He was accused of going behind the club’s back, negotiating secretly with the Spanish giants before officially leaving. His exit left many fans feeling betrayed. Now Konaté faces the same situation. How he manages his departure will define his legacy at Anfield. Will he be seen as another traitor, or will fans understand his dream of playing for Madrid?

Spanish media have already dismissed the possibility of Konaté pulling an “Alphonso Davies” — a situation where a player backtracks on his decision to join Madrid at the last minute. For them, the deal is practically done. Liverpool insiders also believe his departure is inevitable. Marca even wrote that at Anfield, “they consider his exit a sure thing.”

Liverpool are not wasting time. Reports claim they already have a replacement in mind: Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. The England international came close to joining Liverpool this summer, but the deal fell through. Now he looks like the man chosen to step into Konaté’s shoes. Guehi is younger, homegrown, and has already proven himself in the Premier League. Yet for many Liverpool fans, replacing Konaté with Guehi feels like a downgrade. Konaté was supposed to be the long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk, the man to lead Liverpool’s defence into the next era. Losing him not only hurts the present but also shakes the vision for the future.

This saga is about more than one player leaving. It raises bigger questions about Liverpool’s strategy and their ability to keep their stars. Why are so many key players leaving for free? Why did the club fail to secure Konaté earlier? And how will this affect their reputation in the transfer market? Rival fans are already mocking Liverpool, saying the club has become a stepping stone for stars before they move to bigger teams.

Konaté’s decision also highlights the growing magnetism of Real Madrid. In recent years, they have attracted not only legends like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos but also the brightest young talents like Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and now Mbappé. Adding Konaté to that list makes them even stronger. For Liverpool, competing against Madrid in the transfer game feels like fighting a giant. Even the most loyal players find it hard to resist the Bernabéu dream.

As the months tick down towards January and then June 2026, the tension will only grow. Every match Konaté plays in a Liverpool shirt will be watched with double eyes. Fans will cheer him, but some will also question his loyalty. His mistakes may be judged more harshly, his performances more closely analysed. When he finally walks out of Anfield for the last time, the farewell could be filled with both applause and bitterness.

For now, Liverpool must focus on the present. They have big challenges this season under Arne Slot. The Premier League title race, the Champions League, the domestic cups — all require focus and unity. But the shadow of Konaté’s exit will hang over everything. Even in the best-case scenario, the Reds know they are fighting with borrowed time. Their defender has already chosen his future.

Football is full of drama, and this is one of the biggest stories of the year. Konaté, once seen as Liverpool’s defensive rock, now looks set to follow Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. Mbappé is calling him constantly, Madrid are waiting with open arms, and Liverpool have already given up hope. For the Anfield faithful, it is another painful chapter in a story they have seen too often: stars leaving, dreams breaking, and questions about the club’s direction.

One thing is certain: if Konaté does make the move to Madrid, the summer of 2026 will be remembered as the moment Liverpool lost not just a player but part of their defensive soul.