Real Madrid are actively pursuing deals to sign Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries, under the assumption Florentino Perez wins their upcoming club presidential elections.
Konate, 27, will leave Liverpool as a free agent when the centre-back’s contract expires on June 30.
Meanwhile, Madrid have made Inter Milan’s Dumfries their top target to strengthen at right-back and have held talks with the 30-year-old, who has a €20million (£21.6m; $29.1m) release clause. Sources briefed on the deal, speaking anonymously as they did not have permission to discuss the details, say personal terms for Dumfries are not expected to be an issue.
One further source said Madrid were planning on concluding the deal for Dumfries following the outcome of Sunday’s presidential election, so long as Perez is declared the winner as is expected.
Incoming head coach Jose Mourinho has been focused on strengthening the defence, with Madrid already targeting a centre-back before beginning negotiations with the Portuguese. Mourinho is aware of the deals being worked on in advance of his arrival.
Perez, 79, is being rivalled for the Madrid presidency for the first time since 2004. Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old renewable energy entrepreneur, is standing against Perez in the election that will be held June 7, with around 100,000 Madrid club members eligible to vote.
While the election campaign continues, Madrid’s incumbent president has also been leading the appointment of the club’s next manager. The Athletic reported last Friday that Mourinho has already signed a three-year contract to return for a second spell, following his time in charge from 2010-2013.
Delays to the plan in appointing Mourinho — relating to Perez’s decision to call an election — mean the 63-year-old’s move from Benfica could end up costing the club €15million.
Mourinho is expected to return as Madrid head coach (Filipe Amorim / AFP via Getty Images)
Madrid’s discussions with Mourinho and his representatives included plans to strengthen various positions this summer, with a particular focus on defence. In those talks, Mourinho asked for a backup right-back, a left-back to compete with 23-year-old Alvaro Carreras, a dominant centre-back and a creative midfielder.
Madrid had previously considered a move for Konate, though expressed to Liverpool late last year that they were no longer interested in signing the Frenchman. The La Liga club have reignited their interest as they seek to sign a centre-back, with David Alaba leaving on a free transfer this summer and Eder Militao’s continued fitness issues.
Konate had long been in talks with Liverpool over a new deal, with discussions going back to October 2024. He told reporters in April that he was “close” to an agreement, however, both sides were unable to reach an agreement, leading to Liverpool confirming his departure before he joined up with the France squad for the World Cup.
With captain Dani Carvajal, 34, set to leave on the expiry of his contract at the end of June, Madrid would be left with Trent Alexander-Arnold as their only senior recognised right-back. The club’s desired profile for a new arrival in this position is a second-choice option available for around €30million.
Other players considered by Madrid include Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro, 26, and Sporting CP’s Ivan Fresneda, 21.
There is no indication that Spurs are open to selling Spain international Porro for a fee that fits with Madrid’s budget. The situation is similar with Fresneda, who is under contract until 2028, has a release clause of €80m and is considered an important player in Portugal.
Dumfries, who is under contract at Inter until 2028 and will be part of Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands World Cup squad, joined the Italian side from Dutch club PSV in 2018.
Additional reporting: James Horncastle
