Ibrahima Konate has admitted that Real Madrid are his 'dream club' after joining the La Liga giants on a free transfer from Liverpool. The France international failed to agree a new contract with the Reds despite lengthy negotiations, opening the door for him to move to the Bernabeu when his deal expired.
Failed contract talks with Liverpool
The 27-year-old had been heavily linked with Real Madrid in the months before his Anfield exit, only for the Spanish outfit to inform Liverpool last November that they had no intention of signing Konate should his contract expire. The defender would later insist he was desperate to stay put at Anfield, and even claimed back in April that he was close to agreeing a new deal with the Reds.
However, he failed to sign a new contract with Liverpool following ultimately unsuccessful negotiations. And after announcing that he would depart at the end of his deal, it did not take long for Real Madrid to backtrack on their previous stance and make their move for his services.
Konate's first words as a Madrid player
Announced as a new Real Madrid player in the middle of June, Konate belatedly reported for pre-season with his new club at the start of this week following his World Cup exploits with France. In a quickfire Q&A with the club's social media channels, he shared just how much it means to him to have signed for Real Madrid.
"Dream club," he replied when asked, "If I say Real Madrid, you say?" Meanwhile, he elaborated further in response to a video of fellow summer signing Yan Diomande asking: "What does it feel like to play for Real Madrid?"
"Wow, this is a nice question," he said. "I think it's just amazing but maybe I don't realise right now because I didn't really start to play with the team, a proper game. But this will come very soon hopefully. Let's go!"
Liverpool's recent losses to Madrid
Liverpool have lost a player to Real Madrid in each of the last two summers, with Konate joining Trent Alexander-Arnold in moving to the Bernabeu at the end of his Reds contract.
