Liverpool Playing ‘Very Dangerous’ by Allowing PSG, Real Madrid Target Enter Final Year of Contract | OneFootball

PSG have their sights on Ibrahima Konaté but face competition from Real Madrid in pursuing the Liverpool defender. With his contract set to expire in 2026, speculation around a summer move is building.

Milan Skriniar, currently on loan at Fenerbahçe, will likely permanently depart PSG this summer. That departure has prompted the club to evaluate options to reinforce the back line. While nothing is set in stone yet, the signs suggest PSG are planning for a future without Skriniar.

Interest in Konaté has been bubbling for some time. In February, Anfield Watch reported PSG’s strong admiration for the French international, fueling the transfer buzz.

A Paris native who began his youth career with Paris FC before making a name for himself at RB Leipzig, Konaté remains a top target as the club weighs a move for a player with deep ties to the city.

The Reds are reportedly growing concerned about the future of Konaté, with Marca claiming the defender could leave as a free agent when his contract runs out in 2026. There’s a growing feeling he could follow a path similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold before an expected move to Real Madrid.

Liverpool warned about handling of PSG, Real Madrid target

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Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider that the Merseyside giants are taking a “very dangerous” risk by allowing key players to enter the final year of their contracts.

“I think it’s a very dangerous game to play to allow major players to go into the last year of their contract if they’re of an age where you definitely want to sign them up for three or four years more,” Borson said.

“Konate is only 26 at the end of May, but he’s coming into his prime, particularly for a central defender. They are not going to want to lose him on a free. They will be fully aware that Real Madrid are getting very accomplished now at taking these players on free transfers.

“They have done it for a long time and used the benefit and the scale of the club as a recruitment tool that pretty much nobody else in world football can compete with. I do think there is some risk if they’re interested in the player.

“A lot of these rumours that have started have turned out to be true when they’ve gone after these players. The Alexander-Arnold story was out there last year that they were looking to make him a free transfer. It was true, so I think Liverpool will be pretty cautious and will try to nail the player down much earlier than they did with Salah and Van Dijk.”