Betrayed! Ibrahima Konaté asks Kylian Mbappé for answers: 'Madrid will sign...'

For weeks now, Ibrahima Konaté has emerged strongly as the next player for Real Madrid. His contract with Liverpool ends this season, which would open the door for him to arrive at Bernabéu on a free transfer. In addition, he is taking Spanish classes and keeps a good relationship with Kylian Mbappé, which reinforced the feeling that everything was already lined up for his signing.

Xabi Alonso believes that Ibrahima Konaté is a top-level signing and at the time gave the green light to a possible agreement. The defender was convinced that he would land at Real Madrid next summer as a key reinforcement for the white defense. But all of that has taken a drastic turn in a matter of hours, with news placing him in a very unexpected position.

The surprising change of priority in defense: Ibrahima Konaté is no longer the favorite

To everyone's surprise, including Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid has changed its approach to signings in central defense. Ibrahima Konaté is still desired, but he no longer leads the list of favorites. In the last few hours, the one gaining more strength is Dayot Upamecano, the Bayern Munich center-back.

The white club has detected that Upamecano could also be available given the uncertainty surrounding his contract renewal. At Bayern, they want him to stay and are willing to put €20 million on the table as a loyalty bonus if he renews. However, it seems that Florentino Pérez would also be willing to offer him a €20 million bonus to entice him to accept coming to Real Madrid.

Ibrahima Konaté's reaction to the Upamecano situation

Ibrahima Konaté, surprised by the change, has surely discussed the latest developments with Kylian Mbappé. The defender is outraged because his free arrival at Real Madrid seemed certain and now he finds himself relegated by an unexpected turn. Upamecano's rise in the rankings makes him question the real interests of the white club and his decision not to renew with Liverpool.

Dayot Upamecano has been gaining ground not only for being on Madrid's radar, but also because his renewal with Bayern has stalled. Florentino Pérez sees an opportunity to offer him an ambitious bonus and entice him to accept coming to Bernabéu. In addition, Upamecano is considered to have the physical and technical qualities that fit with the defensive philosophy Xabi Alonso wants to impose, leaving Ibrahima Konaté in the background.