DISCOVER WHY REAL MADRID ARE RECONSIDERING LIVERPOOL’S IBRAHIMA KONATé
Real Madrid have reportedly reignited their pursuit of Ibrahima Konaté as his Liverpool contract enters its final months.
Real Madrid need a veteran centre-back this summer, and with the options drying up, they’re circling back to Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté. That’s what the latest reports say, anyway.
Not long ago, Konaté seemed destined for Madrid. He was constantly linked with the club, just like his old teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, and he didn’t extend his contract with Liverpool, so he’s down to his last year, future up in the air.
But that interest fizzled out fast when Konaté stumbled through the start of the 2025–26 season. Suddenly, Madrid wanted nothing to do with him. The rumours said they’d moved on.
Now, things have changed. After a messy winter transfer window where Madrid didn’t manage to sign anyone, ESPN says they’re watching Konaté again. They need someone who can anchor their defence for the next decade.
Madrid’s defence has been a mess for a while. Injuries tore right through the squad—guys like Valverde, Tchouaméni, and Camavinga, who are all midfielders, had to fill in at the back because Militão, Rüdiger, Alaba, and Carvajal kept dropping out.
Last summer, Madrid thought they had fixed things by bringing in Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras. That plan didn’t work out. Alexander-Arnold can’t stay fit—he’s played just 16 games. Huijsen’s first season has been rocky.
Now Alaba’s leaving at the end of the season, Rüdiger might go too, and that leaves just three real centre-backs. Militão’s always hurt, Huijsen’s shaky, and suddenly, Madrid are desperate again. They need another defender, and fast.
But they blew their shot in January. They didn’t act, and now other clubs have picked up the players Madrid wanted.
When Madrid bailed on Konaté in November, they had other options: Marc Guéhi, Dayot Upamecano, and Jérémy Jacquet. Guéhi’s gone to Man City. Jacquet is joining Liverpool next season. Upamecano looks set to sign a new deal at Bayern. Just like that, the list is empty.
So Madrid are back where they started. They might have to bring Konaté in after all. He’s 26, fits right in with Madrid’s French crew, and would link up again with Alexander-Arnold. Even when he’s having a rough game, he’s still an upgrade over what Madrid has now.
Is he their dream signing? Not really, not after the season he’s had—his manager, Arne Slot, even called him out for being “at the crime scene” too often. But he’d come on a free transfer, and he’s got experience, he’s strong, and he’s great in the air. If Konaté can pull himself together in the second half of the season, don’t be surprised if he ends up in Madrid after all.
KYLIAN MBAPPé FIT FOR MUNICH; REAL MADRID EYE ANOTHER LEGENDARY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVERSAL
Kylian Mbappé is fit! Real Madrid face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. See the full UCL lineup and Arbeloa's plan.
The second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich kicks off on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena, and now Kylian Mbappe’s injury status is clear.
Madrid trails 2-1 on aggregate after losing to Bayern at home at the Bernabeu last week, with Mbappe grabbing their only goal late in the match.
What happened to Mbappe? Last Friday against Girona, he took a nasty hit to the face from Vitor Reis. Blood everywhere, a deep cut, and in the end, stitches across his forehead.
People worried about a concussion, but Mbappe got cleared for Sunday’s training. He showed up with a big bandage on his head, looking ready to go to Munich. Still, he skipped the next day’s session, resting up because he was sore, but Madrid said he could travel, and by Tuesday, he was back on the Allianz Arena pitch with the team.
Madrid’s official update: Mbappe took part in multiple drills, joined in tactical exercises, and finished up with some shooting drills. He looked comfortable.
So, here’s where things stand for the Bayern match: Fabrizio Romano says Mbappe will play. Not just available, he’s expected to start for Alvaro Arbeloa, with Jude Bellingham also back in the eleven.
Bellingham has returned for Madrid’s last three games after a long injury spell and started against Girona. He knows Bayern well, having played against them during his Borussia Dortmund days.
Mbappe and Bellingham are both fit for Munich, but Madrid will miss Rodrygo, Thibaut Courtois, and Raul Asensio due to injuries. Plus, Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the tournament in the first leg.
Still, Arbeloa has options he can turn to Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Thiago Pitarch, or Dani Ceballos to fill Tchouameni’s spot.
Looking ahead to the match, Arbeloa sounds confident, especially now that Mbappé is fit.
“We’re Real Madrid. If there’s one team that comes to this stadium and turns things around, it’s us,” Arbeloa said. “We never give up. We’ve got 15 European Cups. Whether we go through with our badge or on top of it, we’ll fight. And honestly, we don’t need miracles. We could’ve won the first leg; nothing crazy about that.”
Madrid has a good history in Munich; they haven’t lost at the Allianz Arena in their last four trips. They won in 2014, 2017, and 2018; then their most recent clash was a 2-2 draw in the Champions League semi-final first leg earlier this year.
Now, with Mbappé and Bellingham ready, Madrid’s out to flip the script against Bayern just like they’ve done so many times before.
ARBELOA CLAIMS MBAPPE PENALTY WAS VISIBLE FROM SPACE FOLLOWING GIRONA STALEMATE
Alvaro Arbeloa slams VAR for a "moon penalty" snub. Discover why Real Madrid is 6 points behind Barcelona today.
Alvaro Arbeloa wasn't holding back, criticising the decision not to give Kylian Mbappe a penalty, a moment that saw Real Madrid's La Liga title ambitions take yet another hit after their draw with Girona.
On Friday night, Real Madrid ultimately drew 1-1 with Girona; Federico Valverde's second-half goal was ultimately nullified by Thomas Lemar.
In the game's final moments, the home side was visibly incensed, believing Mbappe should have been awarded a crucial late penalty.
Mbappe had driven into the Girona penalty area when he was met by the outstretched arm of defender Vitor Reis.
The French forward subsequently fell to the ground inside the box, but his protests for a spot-kick were dismissed by both the referee and VAR.
The impact left Mbappe with blood on his face, compelling the Real Madrid star to seek treatment above his right eye after being struck by Reis' elbow.
Kylian Mbappe's face was bloodied following the elbow strike he sustained during the match against Girona.
Although the Real Madrid forward fell inside the area after contact from an outstretched arm, his pleas for a penalty went unheeded.
Despite the Real Madrid star needing medical attention, the VAR system ultimately chose not to intervene and award the spot-kick.
"That's a penalty call here on Earth, and it's a penalty on the moon," Arbeloa candidly told reporters after the match.
"It's just another one of those moments, another week where this happens. It simply is what it is, and nobody, myself included, truly grasps it."
"When exactly does VAR decide to step in? It seems to intervene only when it's convenient for them, and when it's not, it doesn't."
"You're already familiar with my stance on these matters; the evidence consistently supports it."
"It was a clear foul; in fact, they called a lesser foul on Kylian earlier that wasn't even close to being a penalty."
"We've faced numerous issues with officials. Whether it's this incident or the one in Mallorca, it often feels like the same narrative unfolding."
This draw consequently inflicted further harm on Real Madrid's prospects of closing the gap on their rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Arbeloa's team now trails Barcelona by six points, and the Catalan side still holds a game in hand.
Alvaro Arbeloa vocally criticised the officiating decisions made during their draw with Girona.
Thomas Lemar's equalising goal unfortunately led to Real Madrid losing additional points in the La Liga title contention.
As it stands, Real Madrid finds itself six points adrift of Barcelona, with the latter possessing a game yet to be played.
Barcelona has the opportunity to extend its lead to nine points when they host Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.
Real Madrid's focus will now inevitably shift back to the Champions League, where they aim to overcome a first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
During the midweek fixture, Arbeloa's squad suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to the formidable German side.
The crucial return leg is scheduled to take place at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
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