Real Madrid have informed Liverpool that although they previously considered a move for Ibrahima Konate, they will not be pursuing the defender.
Konate’s contract expires next summer and, as things stand, he is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Since the campaign began, there has been speculation that the Frenchman could seek a new challenge after five years at Anfield.
Real Madrid had been viewed as his most likely destination and would have been able to agree a pre-contract with him from January 1.
However, The Athletic reports that the Spanish giants have made it clear to Liverpool that Konate is not on their list of transfer targets.
The 26-year-old has held discussions regarding his future, but no agreement has been reached.
Liverpool allowed several key players to run their contracts down last year, a situation that ultimately resulted in Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid on a free transfer.
The right-back joined the Bernabeu club without a transfer fee, adding to Real’s impressive record of securing top talent for nothing in recent years, including Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger.
Liverpool attempted to sign Marc Guehi in the summer but saw their late push rejected.
Despite Guehi also being out of contract next summer, Crystal Palace chose not to sell, and the England international has shown no intention of extending his stay at Selhurst Park.
The Reds remain linked with him and could return with another bid, a move that may influence Konate’s future.
Several high-profile centre-backs are set to be available for free this summer, including Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, who is being monitored by PSG.
Bayern could view Ibrahima Konate as a potential replacement for Upamecano.
It was during his time at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga that Konate first emerged as one of Europe’s most promising defenders.
This season has been a difficult one for Liverpool, and Konate has faced criticism amid suggestions that uncertainty over his future may be affecting his performances.
He made another costly mistake on Wednesday, leading directly to a goal as the Reds slumped to yet another defeat.
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