Konaté’s numbers that surpass Militao, Rüdiger, and Alaba

Real Madrid want to continue fishing at Anfield. After securing the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold who has already made his debut during the pre-season tour in the United States the Spanish giants are now looking to strengthen their defense, particularly the central positions.

Their interest has grown even stronger following their recent poor defensive display in New York, where two grave errors in the first minutes of the match allowed Paris Saint-Germain to take a 2-0 lead before the ninth minute in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup. That performance left an alarming image that neither the fans nor the club’s management could ignore, especially knowing that the new season is around the corner with an even more demanding schedule.

Xabi Alonso did not hesitate to use his post-match press conference to publicly call for reinforcements. The Real Madrid coach was clear in his statement, saying: "There is still room for new signings," a message that seems to have been directed as much to the club's board as to the media. Alonso is well aware that if Real Madrid want to compete on all fronts LaLiga, Champions League, and the Club World Cup final the defensive line needs more depth and reliability.

In this context, Ibrahima Konaté's name has surfaced as one of the most concrete targets. The French centre-back, currently playing for Liverpool, is under contract until 2026 but, according to reports in England, he is unwilling to renew his deal at Anfield. This has placed Liverpool in a delicate position; rather than risking losing him for a lower fee in the future, the reigning Premier League champions may prefer to sell him in the coming months while his market value is still high. At present, Transfermarkt values Konaté at 60 million euros, reflecting his quality and reputation across Europe.

Konaté stands at 1.94 meters, which would make him the second tallest player in the current Real Madrid squad, only behind the young centre-back recently signed from Bournemouth, who is 1.97 meters tall. But beyond his height, it is his aerial dominance that makes him a valuable asset. In the last twelve months, data from FBREF reveals that Konaté has won 71.3% of his aerial duels, far surpassing Éder Militão’s 60% and Antonio Rüdiger’s 58%. He is nearly equal to David Alaba's 71.4%, though the Austrian has barely accumulated minutes due to persistent injuries. Moreover, Konaté averages 4.63 clearances per game, a remarkable statistic considering that Liverpool were the third Premier League team to concede the fewest chances last season. No current Real Madrid defender matched such numbers, underlining the upgrade that Konaté could represent in Madrid's defensive structure.

Another of Konaté’s standout qualities is his composure and precision in distributing the ball from the back. His passing accuracy is impressive: 94.3% in short passes, 94.4% in medium-range passes, and 60.7% in long passes. These figures are significantly above the averages for defenders in Europe’s top five leagues and fit perfectly with the playing style that Xabi Alonso seeks to implement a style that requires defenders who are not only solid but also capable of initiating plays with intelligence and calmness.

Konaté's tactical intelligence was evident during his time at RB Leipzig, where he thrived in a three-man defensive line, a system Xabi Alonso has often employed both at Bayer Leverkusen and more recently against Juventus at the Club World Cup, where Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran García operated as wing-backs. This shared tactical background could facilitate Konaté’s adaptation to Real Madrid’s methods. Furthermore, his familiarity with Alexander-Arnold, having been his teammate at Liverpool since 2021, could further ease his transition to life in Madrid.

Though Konaté is not primarily known for his attacking contributions, he has shown signs of growth in this area. Last September 28th, he scored his first and only Premier League goal so far a perfectly executed header against Wolverhampton. In the Champions League, he also opened the scoring in Liverpool’s 3-1 victory against AC Milan with yet another powerful header. On top of that, he provided two assists last season, one against Bournemouth and another against Ipswich Town, equalling his best creative record since his arrival in England. In the 2021/22 season, his first at Liverpool, Konaté scored three goals two in the Champions League and one in the FA Cup and added one assist.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid are not interested in him for his attacking numbers. The offensive department is already well stocked with stars like Kylian Mbappé, who is not only a teammate of Konaté in the French national team but also the cornerstone of Madrid’s attacking project. Still, Konaté’s ability to contribute occasionally in the opposing half is an added bonus that few central defenders possess.

The reality is that if Real Madrid are truly determined to secure Konaté’s signature, they will need to move swiftly. The summer transfer window is the perfect time to finalize such an operation before other elite European clubs enter the race. Time is not on Madrid’s side, especially with a congested calendar looming and fewer days of rest before the season starts. LaLiga's refusal to postpone their opening match against Osasuna would only exacerbate the problem, forcing Xabi Alonso to navigate a hectic fixture list with a squad that needs fresh legs, particularly in defense.

Adding Konaté would not just be a reaction to recent defensive lapses but a strategic move to prepare the team for the relentless rhythm of competitions ahead, including the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. With players like Alaba still dealing with injuries, Militão struggling for consistency, and Rüdiger showing occasional lapses, Real Madrid cannot afford to enter the new season without reinforcing their defensive core. The ball is now in Madrid's court whether they choose to act decisively or risk being beaten to Konaté’s signing could define the stability of their backline for years to come.