With Konate’s 2026 departure decision, Liverpool supporters will have to relive a nightmare.

According to a report, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has made the decision that he wants to go on a new journey next summer and has made Real Madrid his top priority.

The Premier League champions, who have failed to make progress in extension negotiations with his entourage, are about to enter the final 12 months of the France international’s contract.

As of right now, Liverpool could be forgiven for considering bids this summer in order to prevent the prospect of another high-profile free agent departure, and Konate will be free to hold pre-contract talks with foreign clubs in January.

Talks appear to have reached a dead end after Konate’s camp expressed “disappointment” with Liverpool’s base wage in response to the Reds’ most recent contract offer.

According to Foot Mercato, Konate has made the decision to leave the team when his current contract expires, and the English champions don’t appear to be interested in increasing their offer at this time.

According to reports, the former RB Leipzig center back is eager for a “change of scenery” at this point in his career and has plenty of elite suitors in Europe.

La Liga champions Barcelona are believed to have been offered the opportunity to sign Konate, as have Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, who have been rumored to have shown interest for some time.

Konate, however, is thought to have designated the Bernabeu as his new favorite haunt, where he could reunite with Trent Alexander-Arnold and follow in the footsteps of his former Liverpool teammate by joining on a free transfer.

After moving from RB Leipzig for £34.1 million in 2021, Konate has been a fantastic addition to the Reds, making 132 appearances across all competitions and taking home five awards.

As Virgil van Dijk’s first-choice central defensive partner, the 26-year-old scored one goal and assisted on two others in the Premier League last season, starting 30 games on his way to the championship.

Even though Real Madrid is making a lot of noise, Liverpool should keep trying their hardest to get Konate to sign a new deal this summer, if only to prevent another Alexander-Arnold scenario.

However, since the Reds are already losing Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen this time around, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them suffer financially next summer even if they are unable to advance in negotiations.

However, rumors of Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace joining Anfield are intensifying because the Reds are allegedly preparing to make a “significant offer” to entice him away from Selhurst Park.