‘I know the real reason Real Madrid pulled out of signing Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool’
Ibrahima Konate was widely expected to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract but the situation is now unclear after Real Madrid pulled their interest.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Madrid‘s chiefs have not been impressed by the 26-year-old’s form.
Liverpool beat West Ham 2-0 last time out, putting an end to a run of defeats, but Konate has been heavily criticised for his individual displays.
As a result, Football Insider revealed last month that Liverpool are already looking to replace Konate regardless of his contract situation at Anfield.
Konate has turned down Liverpool’s contract offers in recent months with his eyes set on a move elsewhere, but any hopes of joining Madrid have faded.
Real Madrid pull the plug on Ibrahima Konate deal
Brown told Football Insider on 10 November that Liverpool are preparing to lose Konate and believe he will leave upon the expiry of his contract.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted he is not surprised that Madrid dropped their interest in the Frenchman.
“There have been concerns about Konate for a while,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s got far too many mistakes in him and that’s been exacerbated by his performances so far this season when Liverpool have been struggling as well.
“The good side of him is very good, but there is that weakness there where he’s prone to throwing a game away by letting something slip.
“That’s why Liverpool have had doubts, and it’s the reason Real Madrid have pulled out.
“It didn’t surprise me at all to hear that, I know they’ll have been watching him so far this season and have decided they need somebody more consistent and reliable.
“I think those question marks around him have become a bit too much.”
Real Madrid set to hit Liverpool with fresh transfer blow
Real Madrid and Liverpool have been constantly linked over the last year, with the Spanish giants throwing their weight around when it comes to transfer plans.
After they dropped out of the race for Konate, Slot’s side could be dealt a fresh blow as Real Madrid have set their sights on Marc Guehi ahead of next summer.
Guehi has been Liverpool’s top target to strengthen at the back since they missed out on signing him from Crystal Palace on deadline day, and could now miss out.
Guehi will not sign a new deal at Crystal Palace and is instead assessing his options ahead of a potential free transfer, with Europe’s biggest clubs keeping tabs on him.
After Madrid dropped out of the running for Konate, there is a growing feeling that they could push for Guehi, putting Liverpool in another tricky position.
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