Inter Milan has officially joined the high-stakes battle to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, according to reports from L’Interista and CaughtOffside on February 24, 2026.
The 26-year-old Frenchman is in the final months of his contract at Anfield, which is set to expire on June 30, 2026, making him one of the most coveted potential free agents in Europe.
The Contract Deadlock
Despite Liverpool’s efforts to secure a long-term extension, negotiations have hit a major financial roadblock.
-
The Wage Gap: Konate believes his status as a regular starter alongside Virgil van Dijk justifies a salary that would place him among the Premier League’s top-paid defenders.
-
Liverpool’s Stance: The club’s management views his current demands as excessive and has reportedly set a strict “short deadline” for a decision. If Konate doesn’t sign soon, Liverpool may officially withdraw their offer.
-
The “Alexander-Arnold” Fear: Having lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer just a year ago, the Reds are desperate to avoid a repeat with Konate but refuse to break their wage structure.
Inter’s “Free Agent” Strategy
The Nerazzurri, currently dominating Serie A under Cristian Chivu, are looking to overhaul an aging defense that is expected to lose stalwarts like Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de Vrij, and Matteo Darmian this summer.
-
The Fit: Inter views Konate as the perfect partner for Alessandro Bastoni. His age (26), physicality, and Champions League experience align perfectly with the “Oaktree” model of signing proven yet high-resale-value talent.
-
Financial Opportunity: While Inter cannot match the raw salary offers of the Premier League or Real Madrid, the lack of a transfer fee allows them to offer a significant signing bonus.
The Real Madrid Threat
While Real Madrid was long considered the favorite for Konate’s signature, their interest has fluctuated recently.
-
New Priorities: With the signing of Marc Guehi by Manchester City and Dayot Upamecano‘s renewal at Bayern, Madrid’s search for a successor to Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba has narrowed.
-
Back on the Radar: Spanish reports suggest that if Konate remains unattached as June approaches, Florentino Pérez will likely make a final move to bring him to the Bernabéu.