Real Madrid are monitoring Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation with a view to signing him as a free agent next summer, although doubts remain inside the club regarding the Liverpool defender.

On Thursday, Madrid target, William Saliba, has agreed a new five-year deal with Arsenal, keeping him at the club until 2027.

That represents a blow for Madrid, who had been following the 24-year-old France international with the intention of moving for him in 2026, when he would have had just one year left on his contract.

Multiple sources said Saliba was Madrid’s top choice to reinforce their defence, despite recent additions such as Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, there is internal debate within the club regarding a move for Konaté, 26.