Liverpool star says ‘Mbappe calls me every two hours’ as he opens up on Real Madrid links

Football always finds a way to bring drama, and once again Liverpool are at the center of a storm that could reshape the future of their defense. The story that has taken over the headlines is not just about a player’s contract, not just about a teammate’s joke on live television, but about Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe, and Ibrahima Konate. What started as a lighthearted comment during a French TV show has now exploded into a full transfer saga that could define Liverpool’s season and test the ability of Arne Slot to keep his squad together. When Konate laughed and said “Mbappe calls me every two hours” after being asked about Real Madrid, fans may have chuckled, but deep down many knew there was truth behind the laughter. These jokes don’t come from nowhere, and in football when there is smoke there is often a blazing fire behind the scenes.

Konate is no ordinary squad player at Liverpool. Since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021, he has built himself into Virgil van Dijk’s most trusted partner. Strong, fast, dominant in the air and calm on the ball, he has given Liverpool a sense of stability when fit. At only 26, he is already a leader at the back and has made 136 appearances for the club. He has lifted trophies, he has fought in Champions League finals, he has celebrated with the fans at Anfield, and he has lived through both the highs and lows of life at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Yet as things stand, all of that could be history in less than a year because his contract is running down. Like Trent Alexander-Arnold before him, Konate is now facing a decision that could change everything.

Real Madrid are circling, Paris Saint-Germain are watching, Bayern Munich are interested, and even Saudi clubs are ready to throw money at him. But it is Madrid that seems to have the edge, because in football today nothing is more powerful than friendship and influence. And when that friend is Kylian Mbappe, the most marketable, most talked about, most influential player in world football, then the calls of persuasion carry a different weight. When Konate says Mbappe calls him “every two hours,” it might be a joke, but it is also a message. A message that Mbappe wants his French teammate with him at the Bernabeu. A message that Real Madrid’s project is not just about galactico transfers but about creating bonds between stars who already share chemistry on and off the pitch.

For Arne Slot and Liverpool, this is no laughing matter. The Dutchman has started his reign at Anfield brightly, with wins, goals, and an atmosphere of excitement. But he has already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Madrid, a painful departure that left many fans heartbroken. Trent was not just a player, he was a symbol, a local boy who rose through the academy and became vice-captain. Seeing him walk away for free was a blow Liverpool still have not fully recovered from. And now the prospect of losing Konate in the exact same way feels like a nightmare repeating itself. Imagine the headlines: two of Liverpool’s defensive pillars, both gone to Madrid in consecutive seasons, both refusing to extend contracts, both slipping through the fingers of the club’s hierarchy.

The warning signs are clear. Liverpool have already been linked with replacements, heavily chasing Crystal Palace’s captain Marc Guehi. The interest in Guehi is not just about adding depth, it is about preparing for the possibility of life without Konate. Former Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant even said it straight: “If Liverpool are in for Marc Guehi, that signals to me that Konate is more on the side of leaving.” That is the fear. That is the reality. That is why the joke about Mbappe is not really funny for those who bleed red on Merseyside.

It almost happened already. On deadline day, Liverpool pushed hard for Guehi, even submitting the deal sheet for a £35m move. But Palace pulled the plug at the last second because they couldn’t find a replacement. That deal collapsing means Liverpool are left exposed. Konate has all the power. He is in the last year of his deal, free to talk to overseas clubs from January, and with Madrid and PSG watching closely he knows he is a man in demand. For him, this is the perfect storm. For Liverpool, it is the beginning of a very nervous waiting game.

And then there is Giovanni Leoni. The 18-year-old Italian wonderkid who has just arrived for £26m. He has been called the “heir to the Van Dijk throne,” and some believe he will be Liverpool’s long-term solution. Troy Deeney even said he expects Leoni to get minutes this season, adapt to life in Liverpool, and then step into a major role once Konate goes. It feels like the plan is already being written, as if the club knows how this story will end. One star departs, a new one is groomed, and the cycle of football continues. But fans don’t want to lose Konate. Fans don’t want to see another key player walk away, especially not to Madrid.

The Frenchman has not made it easier either. During the same interview, he risked upsetting Liverpool supporters by saying he preferred Ousmane Dembele to Mohamed Salah for the Ballon d’Or. A small comment maybe, but in the world of football where words are twisted and magnified, it has added fuel to the fire. Is Konate already looking away from Anfield? Is his heart already with his friends in France and his potential new teammates in Spain? Every word, every joke, every smile on camera is now being analysed for meaning.

Liverpool’s board are under pressure. They know they cannot afford another repeat of the Trent situation, where they lost a superstar for minimal compensation. Even though they did bank £10m when Trent left after his contract expired, that is nothing compared to his true value. To lose Konate in a similar way would be an even bigger disaster. Arne Slot, in his first season, needs stability. He needs leaders he can trust. Losing Konate now would rip away the spine of his defense and undo so much of the progress being made.

But Madrid have their own agenda. They want to build a team that not only dominates Spain but Europe. They already have Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouameni, and now Mbappe. Add Konate to that mix and suddenly they have a defensive partnership for the next decade. Madrid have always thrived on stealing stars from other giants. They took Beckham from United, Figo from Barcelona, Ronaldo from United, Hazard from Chelsea. Now they have their eyes on Liverpool’s backbone.

For Konate, it is a decision that will define his career. Stay at Liverpool and continue to be Van Dijk’s successor, continue to be adored by the Kop, continue to fight in the Premier League every week. Or take the leap to Madrid, play alongside Mbappe, play in the Bernabeu, and chase Champions League after Champions League. Loyalty versus ambition, comfort versus glory, stability versus temptation. This is the crossroad he now faces.

The situation is tense, emotional, and uncertain. Fans debate it daily online, pundits analyse every detail, and the player himself remains calm on the outside while the storm brews behind the scenes. But one thing is certain: Mbappe’s calls are not just playful chats between friends. They are part of a bigger picture, a bigger plan, and a bigger future. If Konate answers the call, Liverpool could be left broken again. If he resists, then perhaps Slot can build something strong, something lasting, something that can compete with Madrid’s empire.

For now, the saga continues, and the drama grows. Liverpool versus Real Madrid is no longer just about Champions League nights, it is about transfer wars, loyalty tests, and the power of persuasion. And as long as Konate remains unsigned, the fear will not go away.