RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate is being closely monitored by Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane keen on securing his services.
Following the confirmation of Dayot Upamecano’s move to FC Bayern, Real Madrid have set their sights on another RB Leipzig defensive jewel in Ibrahima Konate, as per an exclusive report from Defensa Central. The centre-back has also attracted a lot of interest from the Premier League, mainly due to his reported release clause of just €45 million.
Real Madrid already have one French defensive stalwart in Raphael Varane. However, they are braced to lose Sergio Ramos in the summer as the club continues to struggle in negotiations with the defender over a new contract. In addition, Eder Militao hasn’t done much since joining the Bernabeu outfit while Nacho is not a first-team regular.
Los Blancos have been strongly linked with a move for David Alaba this summer. But, they do need more options as Zidane plans for a complete overhaul in the defensive unit. Even the departure of Varane could be a possibility, with the Frenchman reportedly looking for a new challenge.
That is where Konate could prove to be an ideal option for Zidane. The Leipzig defender has already proven his talents in the Bundesliga, building a formidable defensive partnership alongside Upamecano, who is set to join FC Bayern, as the desired replacement for Alaba.
The 21-year-old hasn’t quite stolen the spotlight as his fellow countryman just yet, but his physical attributes, combined with an ability to read the game makes him an appealing target for any top club in Europe.
However, Real Madrid are aware of Konate’s poor injury record over the past couple of years. In fact, the defender is yet to feature in even ten Bundesliga games this campaign and it was pretty much a similar story last season. He has played in under 1,000 minutes of league football since his breakthrough 2018/19 campaign.
Even in the ongoing campaign, the former FC Sochaux starlet has struggled with a torn muscle fibre as well as an ankle problem, keeping him out on the sidelines for a considerable amount of time. It makes him quite a risky option for Los Blancos, especially at a time when the club is struggling financially, in the aftermath of a pandemic.
Splashing out €45 million in the summer, therefore, might not be the wisest option for Zidane. He could, though, pursue other option, with the Spanish giants having recently been linked with a move for David Carmo.