Real Madrid could take a decisive step in its quest for a new central defender this summer, after a detrimental elimination of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Merengues were eliminated from competition in the semi-finals after a 4-0 bitter defeat against PSG, winner of the UEFA Champions League.
Xabi Alonso players were dominated in New Jersey, and defenders Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger were responsible for the first two goals.
PSG led 2-0 after ten minutes of play, Asencio having once again shown its limits and Rudiger having failed to recover from an error which allowed Ousmane Dembélé to score.
The club is increasingly worried about Rudiger's ability to continue playing at the highest level and could recruit another defender.
Dean Huijsen's promising beginnings in the club are encouraging, but alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold-and potentially Alvaro Carreras-Real Madrid could have a new defense of four next season.
Eder Militao is about to regain its physical form, but Real Madrid is still looking for Liverpool star, Ibrahima Konate.
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Ibrahima Konate in Real Madrid this summer?
Konate has been in talks with Anfield since the beginning of 2025, his current contract expiring at the end of the 2025/26 season, and the club management wishes to find a solution before the start of the new season, mid-August.
Konaté makes the headlines
Liverpool is determined to avoid a situation where Konaté would leave for free in 2026, following the contractual chaos which surrounded Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah earlier this year.
Konaté is open to the idea of staying, but the French international requests better conditions than those offered to him, and Liverpool could withdraw.
All parties are open to a transfer this summer, and according to Marca, Liverpool would have now accepted the departure of Konate, Real Madrid being the only club that interests him.
Konate could cost around 35 million pounds sterling in Real Madrid due to his contractual conflict.
