News Focus
- Ibrahima Konate will leave Liverpool FC when his contract ends this summer with no transfer fee
- Real Madrid are thinking again about signing the French centre-back after dropping their interest last year
- Chelsea FC, Bayern Munich and Saudi club Al-Ittihad also want to sign the 26-year-old
- The final decision at Real Madrid may depend on their expected new manager Jose Mourinho
Liverpool FC have announced that Ibrahima Konate will leave the club for free when his contract ends this summer. This news surprises many supporters. Only weeks ago, it seemed the French national team player would agree to stay at Anfield.
Konate and the Premier League side have talked about a new deal for many months. In April, it looked like they would reach an agreement soon. However, the two sides could not finish the deal before the summer transfer window opens.
Real Madrid CF first showed interest in the centre-back in November. Spanish reports say the club stopped chasing him after his performances dropped. But now, Los Blancos are considering him again.
The Spanish team likes to sign players without paying money to other clubs. They want to buy one or two new central defenders this summer. But other big clubs also want Konate.
Chelsea FC and Bayern Munich are both ready to make offers for the defender. Teams from Italy’s Serie A are also watching him. Also, Al-Ittihad from Saudi Arabia want to give him a very big salary to persuade him to leave European football.
Diario AS says Jose Mourinho will become the new Real Madrid manager within two weeks. If this happens, the Portuguese boss will make the final choice about whether to sign Konate.