AS Report – Transfer Insight | Real Madrid have identified Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté as a key defensive target as they look to reshape their backline for the future. The French international, whose contract at Anfield runs until 2026, is seen as an ideal candidate to partner Dean Huijsen, the highly-rated Spanish-Dutch defender tipped to be a cornerstone of Madrid’s defence in the coming years.
Konaté’s physicality, ball-playing ability, and experience at the top level make him a highly attractive profile for the Spanish giants, especially as they continue to phase out older players and transition into a new era of young talent under Carlo Ancelotti and club president Florentino Pérez.
At the same time, Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Real Madrid winger Rodrygo Goes, as they prepare for potential changes in their attacking lineup—particularly amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Luis Díaz, who is being pursued by Bayern Munich.
However, despite both clubs expressing interest in each other’s players, sources close to both sides have emphasised that the two transfer pursuits are completely independent of each other. There is no ongoing negotiation linking Konaté’s potential move to Madrid with Rodrygo’s possible switch to Merseyside.
Each transfer is being evaluated on its own merits, shaped by different sporting, financial, and strategic considerations. Real Madrid’s pursuit of Konaté is driven by their need to strengthen defensively, while Liverpool’s interest in Rodrygo reflects their desire to refresh their frontline with a versatile attacker capable of playing across multiple forward roles.
This means that any agreement or breakthrough on one front does not directly impact or accelerate progress on the other. If either deal is to move forward, it will require separate negotiations, mutual valuation alignment, and agreement on personal terms with the respective players.
In essence, this is not a swap deal, nor is there any current indication of a package negotiation between the two clubs. Fans hoping for a blockbuster double deal should temper expectations, as both clubs are taking a methodical, case-by-case approach to their transfer activity this summer.
