Real Madrid are very active this summer, but are already thinking about the next step next summer.
Los Blancos ended up paying €10 million to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of the Club World Cup. Liverpool were forced into a situation where they had no choice but to let go of the England international, who had signed a deal with Real Madrid. There have also been persistent links with centre-back Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract expires next summer, and he tops their shortlist of players with expiring deals. It will be completely free in that case, the Club World Cup is only every 4 years.
Will surely create a “Trent Alexander-Arnold level of irritation” at Anfield
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Konaté gives Real Madrid the green light
The 26-year-old has so far rejected Liverpool’s attempts to extend the deal, and according to Sky, Konaté has given Real Madrid the green light to start negotiations with his agent. Los Blancos now know that Konaté is interested in moving to the Spanish capital, having made it clear to “several” intermediaries.
Real Madrid are preparing for defensive revolution
Real Madrid have already started a generational change in defence, with the emergence of Raúl Asencio and the signing of Dean Huijsen for 60 million euros. Experienced defender David Alaba is not part of Real Madrid’s future plans, and Antonio Rüdiger’s contract expires next season. There is also uncertainty over how Éder Militão will return from multiple ACL injuries, meaning Los Blancos are keen to ensure they are well covered beyond next summer.
Konaté reaches his peak form
In theory, Konaté arrives at the peak of his career. He will be 27 years old when he eventually arrives at Real Madrid. That will give Xabi Alonso two defenders in their late twenties (Militão and Konaté) and two younger options in development (Asencio and Huijsen). Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal are also in their thirties and probably in the final years of their careers at Real Madrid.
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You can also ask Paris Saint-Germain what they think of Real Madrid’s strategy of contacting players well before their contracts expire and promising compensation for “free” transfers.
