Ibrahima Konate will join Real Madrid on the expiry of his Liverpool contract later this month
Ibrahima Konate will leave Liverpool for Real Madrid this month(Image: Paul Currie/Shutterstock)
Ibrahima Konate’s on-off switch from Liverpool to Real Madrid will finally be completed later this month on the expiry of his Anfield contract. But a former World Cup-winning centre-back has his doubts over the move.
Konate enjoyed five seasons with the Reds, winning the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and two League Cups, but he is on his way out of Merseyside after failing to agree a new contract with the club.
The 27-year-old defender was linked with a move to Madrid earlier in the season but interest from the LaLiga giants appeared to have cooled following a slump in form.
Nevertheless, he will finally complete a free transfer to the Bernabeu, where he will be reunited with former Reds defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The move can be seen as a watershed moment for Konate but Frank Leboeuf, who won the World Cup with France in 1998 and the European Championship two years later, is not yet convinced that his compatriot will be a success in Madrid.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who are offering World Cup odds, Leboeuf said: “Ibrahima Konate was one of the best defenders in the world a year and a half ago.
“With Virgil van Dijk, that pairing was incredible. However, last season, both of them, along with many other Liverpool players, were only shadows of themselves.
“If Ibrahima can get back to his best, it would be fantastic for Real Madrid. He would be partnering with Dean Huijsen, that would be great. I would love to see that pairing at their best. Now, I have my doubts, so I will have to wait and see how it works.
“I saw the (France) game against Ivory Coast, and Ibrahima is still not quite there, which is sad because he is a fantastic player. I love the guy, his personality, and his mentality.
“He is a great player, but he needs to return to his best form. It is a good move for him after what he achieved at Liverpool.
“I think Liverpool fans should say thank you to him, just as they should have for Trent Alexander-Arnold. There comes a time when players have the right to leave their clubs because they have served them 100%. Ibrahima gave everything, and Trent gave even more.
“Liverpool fans should thank them. When they come back, if they ever do, they deserve a standing ovation. That is what makes a club great.
“Liverpool is a different club with a different mentality, the fans should show that to the world. Don’t be bitter when someone leaves, just be proud.”
Konate is in the France squad that has travelled to the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the USA.
Les Bleus will get their campaign underway on Tuesday, when they face Senegal in a Group I fixture in the New York New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium.
