Liverpool is gearing up for next summer's transfer window, and the news surrounding Ibrahima Konate is raising eyebrows!

The Reds recently made headlines for their impressive transfer spree, setting a record for the most money spent in a single window. However, they managed to balance their books with shrewd sales, keeping their net spend in check.

Now, rumors are swirling that Konate, the talented French international defender, has rejected his third contract offer from Liverpool. According to reports, he appears set to make a move to Real Madrid as a free agent when his contract expires in June 2026.

While Arsenal’s William Saliba is also on Real Madrid's radar, the Spanish giants are showing a preference for Konate due to his contract situation. Saliba's contract runs until 2027, meaning any deal would come with a hefty fee.

In a recent light-hearted moment, Konate joked in an interview that Kylian Mbappé has been 'calling him every two hours' to convince him to join Los Blancos.

According to Spanish media, Liverpool expects to lose Konate, calling his departure a 'sure thing.' They have noted the contrast between Konate's impending exit and the drama surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Madrid earlier this summer, where the right-back faced backlash for how he handled his transfer.

Interestingly, rumors of Konate reversing his decision, similar to Alphonso Davies, have been quashed in Spain, with reports suggesting Liverpool is already eyeing a replacement.

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, who was close to joining Liverpool in the last transfer window, is reportedly the player being targeted should Konate finalize his exit.

As fans eagerly watch this unfolding saga, Liverpool is left to prepare for another significant shift in their squad, signaling a bustling off-season ahead!