Real Madrid quickly chooses their second summer signing after Ibrahima Konate.
Real Madrid have already picked their second summer signing and are close to finalizing a deal for Ibrahima Konate, according to reports. Konate is set to leave Liverpool this summer after five seasons, joining as a free agent.
He tried to agree on a new contract with Liverpool, but talks didn’t work out. Konate shared on social media that he feels “deeply saddened” for not being able to say goodbye to Liverpool fans at the last home game. He wrote, “I didn’t know it would be my last time wearing this shirt in front of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all and will carry Liverpool with me wherever I go.”
His next stop looks like Real Madrid’s Bernabeu. Journalist Fabrizio Romano says the 27-year-old has a verbal agreement for a four-year deal with Real. The move can’t be finished until after the club’s presidential election on June 7, since the board has to approve it.
Meanwhile, Real is already planning more transfers ahead of Jose Mourinho returning as manager. They are reportedly eyeing Inter Milan’s right-back Denzel Dumfries as their next target. Like Konate, signing Dumfries should be easier because he has a €25 million release clause.
Dumfries, 30, is also part of the Netherlands’ World Cup squad and hopes to shine in the tournament. Real wants to boost their right-back position after longtime captain Dani Carvajal leaves as a free agent next month.
Real had been linked with Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, but their new manager Michael Carrick wants to keep him at Old Trafford. According to TEAMtalk, United are open to talks about a new contract for Dalot, with Carrick’s opinion holding a lot of weight.
Dalot played in almost all of Carrick’s games since he took over in January. Carrick was first interim manager but earned a two-year contract last month after helping the club finish third in the Premier League.