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.

Jude Bellingham finally broke his silence after his hamstring injury this weekend, posting just three words: “Life goes on.”

Two days after limping off the pitch in tears against Rayo Vallecano, the Real Madrid star kept it simple on social media. The injury happened early in the match—Bellingham chased down a loose ball, pulled up in pain, and immediately grabbed his hamstring.

Madrid later confirmed he’s dealing with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg. The club didn’t give a return date, but it’s looking like about a month out. That means he’ll miss at least eight games, including both legs of the Champions League knockout round against Benfica.

So yeah, life really does go on for Real Madrid, but losing Bellingham right now is brutal. They’re about to hit the hardest stretch of their season without their 22-year-old superstar.

Why Losing Bellingham Hurts So Much

You just can’t replace what Bellingham gives this team. The moment he left in the tenth minute on Sunday, Madrid lost their best playmaker, their engine in midfield, and maybe their most clutch player—all at once.

But here’s what people miss: Bellingham’s work rate is off the charts. He’s everywhere. He tracks back to help his defence, covers for teammates who aren’t interested in defending, and just never stops running.

Take the 4–2 loss to Benfica in the league finale. Bellingham made four tackles—just one less than the entire backline combined. He ran 6.5 miles in 90 minutes, more than anyone else on the team.

Before the game, Arbeloa even joked that Bellingham needed to “stop running so much.” It’s almost haunting, considering he got hurt chasing down the ball just days later.

So now the big question: who steps up while he’s out? Can anyone fill the void and keep Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League dreams alive?

How Madrid Tries to Cope Without Bellingham

Let’s be honest—no one in Arbeloa’s squad can match Bellingham’s all-round game. But there is one player who can at least fill in at the No. 10: Arda Güler. Don’t forget, the 20-year-old already did it at the start of the season while Bellingham recovered from shoulder surgery.

Güler was on fire early in 2025–26, notching seven goal contributions in his first nine games. His form dipped a bit once Bellingham came back and they had to share minutes, but now the stage is his again.

For Güler, getting another shot as the main playmaker is probably a relief. He’s struggled before when asked to play deeper or control the tempo. This time, he can just focus on pulling the strings up front.

Arbeloa will need Güler at his best to keep Madrid afloat. He’ll also lean heavily on Eduardo Camavinga and maybe Federico Valverde—plus Trent Alexander-Arnold once he’s back—to handle the defensive load Bellingham usually carries.