Real Madrid News
Real Madrid make final decision on key defensive target amid PSG overtures – report
Real Madrid have already begun their preparations for the season ahead, with the club identifying various targets who can join the club for the 2026/27 campaign.
Nico Paz is already tipped to return to Santiago Bernabeu, but the club are also looking to sign a new centre-back and a defensive midfielder.
As far as the centre-back position is concerned, Real Madrid have taken a final call on one of their key targets.
Real Madrid abandon pursuit of Konate
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid have made a final decision on Ibrahima Konate and will not be pursuing him anymore.
This is despite the fact that Konate is available to sign a pre-contract agreement this January, with his deal at Anfield expiring at the end of the season.
While Konate was indeed a big option for Los Blancos at the start of the season, the club are not impressed by the inconsistency shown by the player this term.
Even Real Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat is not impressed and had written a rather negative note on the Frenchman, contributing to Real Madrid’s decision.
The Spanish giants backing out from the Konate pursuit means the player is free to reach a renewal with Liverpool or sign for PSG, the other club interested in his services.
The reigning European champions are looking to beef up their options at the back, with Konate emerging as one of the ideal options.
As for Real Madrid, the club have set their sights on other alternatives, including Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and Borussia Dortmund’s defensive leader Nico Schlotterbeck.
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the 2026/27 La Liga season when they take on Elche CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight.
With 12 points from five games, Los Blancos are currently second in the league table, three points below leaders FC Barcelona.
As such, the Spanish capital club will be eager to get the win and close the gap to the top.
Guler starts, Bellingham rested
Ahead of kickoff, Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Elche, with Jose Mourinho making some important changes.
For starters, Arda Guler is back in the lineup after appearing as a substitute in the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Interestingly, however, he starts in the attacking midfield role, with Mourinho opting to rest Jude Bellingham, who has started all of Real Madrid’s games so far.
That also means that Yan Diomande retains his place in the team, starting for a second time in a row on the right wing. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. continue in their respective positions in attack.
Another notable change sees Aurelien Tchouameni make his first start of the season after recovering from injury and making two appearances off the bench.
He replaces Bernardo Silva as Federico Valverde’s partner in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen slot in at centre-back in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 15, 2026
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