At the end of last year, Real Madrid were increasingly keen on the services of Ibrahima Konate.

The former Leipzig defender was facing an uncertain future at Liverpool, with his contract at Anfield expiring at the end of the season, making him a potential free agent.

Real Madrid, in search of fresh reinforcements in central defence, were considering making a Bosman move for the Frenchman.

Konate closing in on Liverpool renewal

According to Fabrizio Romano, Konate is now set to prolong his stay at Liverpool, with the defender closing in on a contract extension at Anfield.

The two parties are currently closing in on an agreement that would see the defender commit his long-term future to Merseyside.

Romano adds that Real Madrid were indeed one of the interested parties in the race to sign the Frenchman at the end of last year.

However, after failing to find an agreement with the centre-back, Liverpool stopped negotiations in November, with some believing that the player used Los Blancos to secure a better deal at Liverpool.

Nevertheless, Konate’s contract extension could leave Real Madrid with one less option in the summer transfer window.

Formerly of RB Leipzig and Sochaux, Konate could have brought some invaluable experience to the table for Real Madrid, having featured in a combined total of more than 250 matches across Germany and England.

Real Madrid, though, have no dearth of options in the market. The Spanish giants have been notably linked with a move for Nico Schlotterbeck, too, though the German also looks set to renew his contract at Borussia Dortmund.

But on a positive note, Schlotterbeck is likely to have a special release clause that would allow clubs like Real Madrid to snap him up on a cut-price deal next summer.