Real Madrid News
Real Madrid targeting shock move for Liverpool defender in the summer – report
According to Media Foot, Real Madrid have set their sights on Ibrahima Konate. The Liverpool centre-back has a top admirer in the form of Carlo Ancelotti, who wants to see the defender wearing all white from the 2023/24 season onwards.
Real Madrid’s interest in Konate comes after the defender’s excellent performances with France during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was one of the star performers of Les Bleus team that managed to reach the final of the coveted competition.
Konate’s performances have not just been restricted to the World Cup either as the former RB Leipzig starlet has impressed in the Premier League as well.
Since joining Liverpool in 2021, the Frenchman has racked up 33 competitive appearances for the Reds. The youngster did struggle with a knee injury earlier in the season, but due to his tall frame, good physique and excellent technical quality, he is seen as the ideal long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool, though, are set to face an intense battle in their bid to keep hold of Konate, as Real Madrid look to get hold of the 23-year-old.
The Whites, after all, are bracing themselves for a busy 2023. Especially in the defensive unit, veteran centre-back Nacho Fernandez may depart Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, leaving Ancelotti with no reliable backup in central defence.
That is where Konate comes into the fray. The Liverpool starlet can prove to be an ideal competitor for Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba. Given his age, he can very well become the future leader of the Real Madrid backline that has, in some way, underperformed this season.
Konate may cost a fortune, though, as his current contract at Liverpool does not expire until 2026. But the report suggests Real Madrid have a lot of cash to burn in the summer of 2023, meaning it will not come as a surprise to see Los Blancos make a move for the Frenchman at the end of the season.
It is astounding that despite being the biggest club in Spain, Real Madrid do not have many Spanish players to show for it.
Los Blancos do indeed boast of a special diversity in the dressing room, but their lack of locally trained players could pose problems according to MARCA.
The Spanish outlet confirms that UEFA does not mandate the inclusion of any minimum number of locally grown players for a club. However, the Spanish federation stipulates that a club in Spain must boast of at least eight players who meet a specific set of conditions.
Of the aforementioned eight candidates, there must be at least four players who have spent three seasons or 36 months at the club between the ages of 15 and 21.
Currently, only Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Mariano make up the required number on that front.
The problem, however, arises with the condition for the other four players in the list of eight. RFEF stipulates that the second set of four players must have completed at least 36 months in teams attached to the federation of Spain between the ages of 15 and 21.
Only Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos tick the aforementioned box. However, all four players have uncertain futures at the club and are well-placed to depart in the summer.
There are thus big decisions to be taken over the transfer strategy for June. Real Madrid can work ways to ship all four players out, it would require the re-integration of players like Sergio Arribas, Miguel Gutierrez or Fran Garcia to ensure the fulfilment of the criteria.
With both Vallejo and Odriozola seemingly frozen out of Ancelotti’s plans, their departures from Santiago Bernabeu appear inevitable. Thus, the management could be forced to renew one of Asensio or Ceballos come June.
