Liverpool on High Alert: Is Real Madrid Hunting Another Free Transfer?

The transfer market is red-hot, with Liverpool being a major protagonist after a summer of massive spending. The Anfield club has invested over €306 million in new talents and seems neither willing to slow down nor to allow its stars to leave, especially if it's without a transfer fee.

This situation has put Liverpool on maximum alert, fearing that Real Madrid will repeat their tactic with central defender Ibrahima Konaté. Konaté's contract expires in June 2026, and it's rumored that the player is inclined to follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently joined the Whites on a free transfer.

According to Foot Mercato, Real Madrid "has specialized in waiting until the end of contracts to sign world-class players." This strategy, which has worked for them with names like Kylian Mbappé and now Alexander-Arnold, is what Liverpool wants to avoid at all costs with Konaté. The English club has learned from experience and is determined to prevent a similar mishap from occurring with their French defender.

However, sources from Defensa Central indicate that Real Madrid is waiting patiently. The white club is convinced that if Liverpool fails to renew Konaté, it will be the Anfield club itself that makes contact to negotiate a transfer. This move would allow Liverpool to prevent their player from leaving for free, as happened with Alexander-Arnold. Florentino Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez, for their part, would be ready to send a proposal, presenting themselves as the solution to this contractual problem that Arne Slot has in his squad.

Real Madrid's Strategy: Signing Stars at Low Cost

Konaté's potential arrival is part of Real Madrid's broader strategy of signing some of the world's best players at low cost or even as free agents. This tactic has proven to be highly effective. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer, the signing of Jude Bellingham for a considerable but justified sum, and now the incorporation of Trent Alexander-Arnold reinforce the idea that the club is adept at combining large investments with intelligent market moves. Other names like David Alaba also arrived for free, solidifying the club's reputation as an irresistible destination for stars seeking a change. Real Madrid not only seeks talent but also smart opportunities in the market that allow them to maintain their sporting hegemony without compromising their financial stability.