Real Madrid hijack PSG target and Liverpool star Ibrahima Konaté

Real Madrid are believed to have hijacked PSG’s summer target Ibrahima Konate.

According to a report by Spanish media outlet AS and RMC Sport, Real Madrid have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms with outgoing Liverpool defender and PSG transfer target Ibrahima Konate. Out of contract with The Reds and no proper offer from any club, including Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman has decided to join his countrymen Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ferland Mendy in the Spanish capital.

When did PSG lose the plot to Real Madrid?

PSG registered a primary interest in the 27-year-old as they were lining up replacements due to a possibility of several players leaving the club this summer, and also a first-choice starter, who can deputise for the ageing Marquinhos, as per an earlier report. While the European champions were busy with their Champions League final against Arsenal, it seems like Real Madrid gained momentum behind the scenes to get a deal done with Konate’s entourage.

PSG could have one last chance at Konate, as his current signing remains conditional on Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s continuation at the club’s helm. Elections are scheduled for this weekend, and if things go sideways for Perez against presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, Konate would again become available on the transfer market, although the chances are slim on that front.

The Ligue 1 champions should now divert their attention to other transfer targets, as there are a host of players they have on their list for this upcoming summer transfer window.