Pre-season can be a strange old business. One minute you are talking about shape, sharpness and minutes in the legs, the next you are dealing with frayed tempers and a squad that suddenly looks thinner than anyone would like. That is where Liverpool find themselves heading into their meeting with Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago.
There is a serious look to this summer for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all moved on after their contracts expired, with Robertson joining Tottenham and Konate heading to Real Madrid. Salah is still without a new club. Those are not minor departures, they are the sort that strip experience, authority and quality from a dressing room in one hit.
Andoni Iraola has only just walked through the door, and already he has plenty to weigh up. Liverpool edged past Wrexham 1-0 in New York, a result that mattered less than the signs around it. The win offered some encouragement, but the disagreement involving Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai at full time brought another layer of intrigue. In pre-season, these things can flare up quickly. What matters is how swiftly they are put to bed.
Photo: IMAGO
That is the task now. Iraola will want a cleaner night in Chicago, one with more rhythm and less noise around the edges. Friendly or not, a manager learns plenty from these matches, especially when a squad is in transition.

#Liverpool #robertson #heading

Barcelona have had two successive seasons of domestic dominance, winning five out of six possible trophies under Hansi Flick.
During the same period, their arch-rivals Real Madrid have not managed to win a single trophy, prompting them to make wholesale changes this summer.
Florentino Perez has brought back Jose Mourinho as their manager and opened the chequebook to reinforce the squad at his disposal.
The club have already wrapped up deals for Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Carlos Espi.
However, arguably their biggest transfer of this summer is yet to be announced, with Yan Diomande set to join them from RB Leipzig for a mammoth fee.

#real #perez #jose #mourinho

Real Madrid have already completed five signings this summer: Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Carlos Espi.
The Spanish club are also close to an agreement to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig and are in negotiations with Manchester City to sign Rodri.
It is safe to say that it has been a blockbuster summer transfer window for Jose Mourinho upon his return to the club.
One other player Madrid were interested in earlier in the window was Josko Gvardiol, but the Croatian ended up signing a new contract at the English club.
Bernardo Silva wanted to move to Spain. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

#sign

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to let one star walk for free. It's just crazy at this point.
Liverpool are currently figuring out what to do with their squad. This isn't the group they'll finish the transfer window with, we imagine, and both incomings and outgoings are possible.
Now, we know the World Cup pauses the domino effect seen every transfer window but Liverpool have been particularly slow this year. They haven't replaced Ibrahima Konate (and we're not sure they will), haven't decided what to do at right-back with Conor Bradley out long-term and, above all, haven't found a winger to replace Mohamed Salah.
Instead, they're working hard on a deal for Bradley Barcola, who plays on the opposite side. Genuinely, we have no idea what will happen there.
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#Liverpool #haven 't #free #ibrahima

Real Madrid were quick to make new additions to their defense and midfield after the end of the last season, as they signed, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Bernardo Silva.
For the attack, the only major addition in the early phase of the window was the return of the Brazilian forward Endrick from his loan with Lyon. However, the Merengues have now made another addition to their forward line.
As MARCA has reported, Los Blancos have already completed and announced their fifth signing of the summer, i.e., the striker Carlos Espi, whom they have landed after paying his €25 million release clause to Levante. The player has signed a contract till 2031 with Real Madrid.
This new signing will fill the void that will be left with the departure of Gonzalo Garcia, who is very close to completing a move to the Premier League side Fulham, where he will be playing under the former Merengue coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Los Blancos moved very fast for this latest signing, and only a few hours after reports emerged of their interest in the Spaniard, they had already officially announced his signing. This transfer also disturbs the plans of some Premier League sides, like Hull City and Brighton and Hove Albion, who were also willing to pay his release clause, and the latter already had a deal in place with Levante.

#signed

Gerard Martín is not too bothered with Real Madrid making big headlines this summer and believes Barcelona will remain competitive this season.
The defender, who became a starter last season as a center-back and is poised to play a big role this season, was asked in a radio interview about Madrid's busy time in the market.
Barça's main rivals brought in José Mourinho as manager and signed Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomandé in a high-profile transfer in the last few days, but Martín is not paying a lot of attention to those moves.
"Frankly, I don't care who they sign. I'm focused on us, what's in our hands. Let them sign whoever they want, we'll go and compete."
It's very easy to confuse activity with competence, and Madrid's big signings after bringing in a new manager are an attempt to fix the mess of last season, when they… made big signings after bringing in a new manager.

#mart #bringing #gerard #madrid

After a record summer spend last season of £450m, Liverpool were disappointing on the pitch.
Ultimately, that led to the sacking of Arne Slot at the end of the campaign. Senior players like Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left on free transfers too.
It has been a summer of change at Liverpool with Michael Edwards stepping down as FSG's CEO of football, primarily because plans of multi-club ownership were abandoned.
Meanwhile, Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, is linked with a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. There is certainly a question of stability.
"Transition and change is inevitable in football. In our case, with a new coach coming in, there's real excitement around Andoni's [Iraola] mindset and philosophy that supporters will really enjoy," says CEO Billy Hogan.

#summer #change #salah

The 2026-27 Premier League season is just around the corner, and we know this to be the case because Liverpool are set to face Wrexham at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday — a timeless preseason ritual.
MORE — Preseason fixtures & results | Transfers completed
Liverpool are now under the leadership of Andoni Iraola, who just recently led Bournemouth to Europa League qualification before departing with a bigger job on his mind. Iraola replaces Arne Slot, who won the Premier League ***** le in his first season but was fired at the end of his second, in a transitional time for the club.
Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have all left, leaving a bit of a leadership and experience void in a squad that will undoubtedly be younger and greener this year. Will Iraola be able to develop young talent at Liverpool, the way he did at Bournemouth, or will the demand for results now, now, now alter his approach?
Kick off time: 7:30 pm ET Wednesday, July 29
Venue: Yankee Stadium — New York City
How to watch: ESPN

#Liverpool #wednesday #preseason

As well as Yan Diomande and Rodri, Real Madrid have not yet ruled out the possible signing of another central defender. Ibrahima Konate has also been brought in as a free agent, but head coach Jose Mourinho wants to have another option at his disposal in time for the 2026-27 season starting in a few weeks' time.
Earlier in the summer, Nico Schlotterbeck had been Real Madrid's leading target, but after he picked up an ankle injury while on duty with Germany at the 2026 World Cup, club officials have pivoted to Alessandro Bastoni. Mourinho is also a big fan of the Inter Milan and Italy star, who could soon be set to make the move to the Bernabeu.
As per MD, Inter have agreed a deal to sign former Manchester City defender John Stones, and the expectation is this will open the door for Bastoni to move to Real Madrid later this summer, should an approach be made.
Real Madrid want to go for Bastoni, although they are clear that any new defender cannot be signed until someone leaves. Mourinho has already informed Raul Asencio that he is not in his plans for the new season, so he would be the prime candidate to leave, which would open the door for Bastoni to move to the Bernabeu.
Asencio has some interest in his services, but right now, there is no indication from the player himself that he wants to leave. Thus, Real Madrid may have a problem doing the necessary business to bring in Bastoni, which would be frustrating for Mourinho in his efforts to build the perfect squad ahead of the first season of his second spell as manager. For now, it simply remains to be seen how the situation plays out with both defenders.

#mourinho #bernabeu

Real Madrid have come out all guns blazing in the transfer market. The arrivals of Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate have significantly strengthened Jose Mourinho's squad, with further additions still expected.
Yan Diomandé is on the verge of joining the club, and Real Madrid have also accepted that signing Rodri represents the final major step in their summer rebuild.
However, that strategy comes with one unavoidable condition. Before making any further signings, the club must reduce the size of the squad, reports MARCA.
That is where the biggest challenge of the summer begins. While recruitment has progressed well, the sporting department now faces the more complicated task of overseeing departures.
The first player under consideration is Raul Asencio. At present, he is regarded as the most likely member of the squad to leave the club.

#real #madrid

Jose Mourinho has been the one calling all the shots in Real Madrid's transfer plans this summer, right from the moves for Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate to the departures of Dani Ceballos and Fran Garcia.
The manager has been handed complete freedom by the board to make the signings he deems necessary, and the club have done well to back him up with the moves he requires.
The club's sudden decision to push for Yan Diomande last night, needless to say, came out of the blue, but many expected Mourinho to have a hand in the development once more. Indeed, that appears to be the case as reported by Fabrizio Romano in a recent update.
As relayed by the Italian journalist, Mourinho has approved Diomande as a target for the first team in the current summer transfer window, and the club's acceleration on negotiations is a direct result of the same.
Mourinho has approved the signing of Yan Diomande. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)

#diomande #transfer #summer #approved

Liverpool's first pre-season outing of the summer was already going to carry curiosity, because a new head coach always brings questions, fresh ideas and a sense of reset. Yet Saturday's meeting with Sunderland now carries something far more important. As reported by BBC Sport, both clubs will honour Kevin Keegan with black armbands and a minute's applause before kick-off.
That feels fitting. Keegan belonged to an era when footballers seemed larger than life, full of energy, swagger and personality, and he left a mark on every club lucky enough to call him their own. He died this week at the age of 75, months after it was announced that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. For many supporters, particularly those of a certain vintage, the news landed with real force.
At Liverpool, Keegan was central to one of the club's great periods of growth. Nearly 750 club appearances came across his wider career, but the six years on Merseyside remain a huge part of why he is remembered with such affection. Three league ****** les, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup tell their own story. So do the Ballon d'Or wins in 1978 and 1979, achieved while he was with Hamburg, proof that his standing stretched well beyond English football.
He was a footballer who played with urgency and emotion, and those are qualities supporters always respond to. Trophies matter, of course, but connection matters too. Keegan had both.
This match also opens the Andoni Iraola chapter. After the collapse of last season and the end of Arne Slot's reign in May, Liverpool head into 2026-27 needing clarity and momentum. Iraola's first game arrives with notable absentees after Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate departed at the end of last term.

#keegan #head #always #club

Real Madrid have plans to sign a second central defender this summer to come in alongside Ibrahima Konate, who joined from Liverpool at the start of the month. Head coach Jose Mourinho wants another player to choose from when the 2026-27 season gets underway next month, and he’s set his sights on someone from one of his former clubs.
Earlier in the summer, it was reported that Real Madrid had set their sights on Alessandro Bastoni. The Inter Milan and Italy defender is appreciated by Mourinho, who sees him as the ideal final piece for his defensive options. And according to the player’s agent (via Diario AS), there would be a desire to make a move happen in 2026, although there is also no obvious rush to leave the Nerazzurri.
“Bastoni has two years left on his contract with Inter, he loves these colours and right now he is not considering signing for another club. If in the future a club appeared that satisfied both Inter and the player, we could talk about it, but right now there is nothing concrete to suggest a real negotiation. I don’t think he has ever considered leaving Italy.”
David Alaba had been the only natural left-sided option for Real Madrid up until his exit earlier this summer, so it makes a lot of sense to secure an appropriate replacement. Bastoni would certainly be that, so it would be smart if the club’s sporting department were to make a serious effort to agree terms with Inter in the coming weeks.
It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid and Mourinho can get their man. For now, the club is happy to focus on exits, although there is sure to be more incoming activity sooner rather than later.

#Inter #mourinho #summer

The Real Madrid squad is set to undergo some major changes next season, especially in the defensive unit with the club bringing in the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries this summer.
But even in attack, there could be changes following the return of Endrick after a successful loan spell at Lyon during the backend of last season.
The prospect of Endrick’s return has put pressure on the future of Gonzalo Garcia, who has been linked with a move to Fulham recently.
Real Madrid, though, are not entirely sure about parting ways with Garcia this summer, even on a loan deal.
Real Madrid are not selling Gonzalo Garcia, at least for now. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

#real #even

Real Madrid signed three new defenders only a few days after the end of the last season to bolster a key area of the team that caused them quite a few problems during the last season. Two fullbacks, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries, and one center-back, Ibrahima Konate, have been signed, while the club can still sign one more center-back before the end of the summer transfer window.
Although he is still to join his new team, one of these three players, Cucurella, must already have delighted the Merengues. This is particularly because he played a key role in helping his Spain team win the World Cup, showcasing his talents against some of the biggest international sides like Portugal, France, and Argentina.
In addition to the board members, who decided to sign the defender, Real Madrid players are also seemingly delighted with his signing. As Diario AS has reported, the Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes took to social media to congratulate the Spaniard on his World Cup triumph, and to welcome him to the Merengue club.
Rodrygo replied to a post made by Cucurella in which the Spaniard can be seen kissing the World Cup trophy with the following words:
"Congratulations on the **** le!! We're waiting for you at the biggest club in the world."

#team #signed

Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool exit may have been expected but, that doesn't mean that it hurts any less.
It's now been two seasons on the bounce where Liverpool have lost two of their regular starters to Real Madrid on free transfers.
During the 2025-26 season, the La Liga giants managed to prise Trent Alexander-Arnold away from his boyhood club and now, Konate has followed suit.
Indeed, talks between the Frenchman and Liverpool were ongoing over the last 18 months but, for one reason or another, the two parties just couldn't reach an agreement.
This has now left Liverpool with a gaping hole in their defence and, even though some people believe the gap can be filled by Jeremy Jacquet, it's still unclear whether the young Frenchman will be able to hold his own in the Premier League or not.

#Liverpool #real #liga #alexander

Liverpool have already cleared out a lot of their squad this summer.
The Anfield outfit were destined to have a bit of a re-jig before the 2026-27 season fully kicked off but, ******* ody could have expected three of their first-team regulars to have already packed their bags and exited.
This had led to the Reds severely lacking depth among their ranks with the club just one injury crisis away from being in a worse position than they were last term.
The worst thing about the exits of Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson is that none of them earned Liverpool any money as they all left as free agents with Salah even terminating his deal to get away from L4.
Konate and Robertson have both already sorted their next destinations out but, the Egyptian King's future still isn't decided.

#already #Liverpool #robertson #mohamed

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has outlined the club’s transfer plans for this window and pinpointed one position on the pitch that they “definitely need” to address with incoming players.
Liverpool have already signed defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, although that deal was agreed back in January, and forward Victor Munoz from Osasuna this summer.
However, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all left the club, while the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are sidelined through injury. Transfer guru Michael Edwards has also left Anfield this summer, throwing a lot of their plans up in the air.
Iraola was reticent to commit to an exact number of signings when he spoke to reporters in Chicago as part of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States but acknowledged that a Salah replacement on the wing was a non-negotiable addition.
“I think it is difficult to say a number,” said Iraola. “When the market is open, you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad.

#iraola #salah #plans

According to journalist Jorge C Picon, Real Madrid have spent several weeks actively working alongside superagent Jorge Mendes to structure an immediate exit route for central defender Raul Asencio.
The 23-year-old centre-back has been formally offered to a number of major European clubs through intermediaries, with Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig specifically named among the potential destinations.
Despite the intense administrative efforts to move him on, the player remains deeply determined to reverse his current standing and earn a regular place in the squad.
The drive to facilitate Asencio’s departure has become a central focus of Real Madrid’s summer clearout operations.
Looking to streamline a congested defensive line that recently welcomed high-profile arrivals like Ibrahima Konate, club executives are desperate to clear salary **** e and squad registration slots.

#jorge

Andoni Iraola is hopeful that Liverpool can add new faces to the squad in the coming weeks.
Iraola spoke to the media for the first time since officially beginning his reign as Liverpool head coach,having arrived from Bournemouth earlier in the summer.
Liverpool have signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for a £34m fee this summer, while Jeremy Jacquet's pre-arranged transfer to Anfield from Rennes has also been concluded.
It has been a summer of change at Liverpool, with a new head coach and several senior names departing the club. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all left Liverpool, a trio who played more than 1000 games for the Reds combined.
Iraola has said that Liverpool need to remain active in terms of recruitment to replace those names, but confirmed the team are working hard behind the scenes to get deals done.

Liverpool's team is probably going to look completely different by the start of the 2026-27 season.
After Victor Munoz's arrival, transfer news from Anfield has slowed down with some journalists even saying that the Reds don't really need to sign that many more players.
However, the fact that Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson have all left means that there are still several voids that need to be filled.
This, coupled with the fact that the Reds didn't even replace Luis Diaz last summer means that there's still a lot of work to be done.
So, the fact that exits are being spoken about is rather worrying, especially when it's one of the Reds' best players who is being put onto the chopping block.

Liverpool have begun to shake up their centre-back department.
Giovanni Leoni arrived last summer on a £26m deal from Parma. And over the course of the last few transfer windows Richard Hughes has been busy adding to his stockpile.
Mor Talla Ndiaye was acquired in January and deals were also put in place for Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Hopes are high for Jacquet in particular following his £60m signing from Rennes in Ligue 1.
Like Leoni, 19, the Frenchman has been injured but looks set to feature in preseason following his arrival on Merseyside.
Those two are among the top candidates to replace Ibrahima Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk in the centre of Andoni Iraola’s defence.

Real Madrid's summer rebuild may still be ongoing, but Jose Mourinho already appears to have a clear picture of how he wants his team to line up next season.
According to a report from Miguel Serrano, relayed by Defensa Central, the Portuguese manager has largely settled on his preferred Real Madrid starting XI for the 2026/27 campaign, with only a handful of positions still open to competition.
According to reports, Mourinho is happy with the core of his squad after several high-profile arrivals, although he is still pushing the club to strengthen in two key areas before the transfer window closes.
Mourinho's defensive setup already looks relatively clear. Summer signing Marc Cucurella is set to start at left-back, while Ibrahima Konate has been identified as one of the leaders of the new-look defence after arriving from Liverpool.
On the opposite flank, Denzel Dumfries is reportedly viewed as the first-choice right-back and one of the manager's guaranteed starters ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

William Saliba has been consistently linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout his career at **** nal, with many surprised when he recently committed his future to the Emirates by signing a new contract.
The Spanish giants have long admired the French defender, although they have recently strengthened their defensive options with the signing of Ibrahima Konaté on a free transfer this summer, which has appeared to reduce their immediate need to pursue Saliba.
Even so, Saliba is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in world football, and interest from Real Madrid is expected to remain a possibility in the long term as he continues to perform at an elite level in the Premier League.
Moves from French players to Real Madrid are a recurring theme in European football, and Saliba is often mentioned among those who could eventually make that step if circumstances change in the future.
Former France international Marcel Desailly has expressed admiration for the **** nal centre back and believes he has the quality to succeed at the highest level in Spain.

As this uniquely tumultuous summer transfer window continues, having already guaranteed the loss of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté, the rumour is that captain Virgil van Dijk may be next. The 34-year-old Dutchman has been the backbone of this Liverpool team since he arrived in January 2018.
Apparently some at the club are regretting the lucrative new contract that he signed last year and are now said to be open to offers from other clubs. Blame for Liverpool’s poor ****** le defense seems to be landing on his shoulders now that Arne Slot is out of the picture. It is said that van Dijk is no longer “untouchable” in the eyes of the higher ups making these decisions.
To no one’s surprise, there’s interest around Europe at the prospect of acquiring the veteran Dutch captain. AC Milan is the team being bandied around the most, with new manager Ruben Amorim sending out feelers for what Liverpool are looking for in a potential deal. Other interested parties are the Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Then there is the usual interest from MLS and the Saudi Pro League, who always have their eyes on big name players over 30-years-old.
While the door has been opened for a possible move, reports have stressed that the club isn’t actively looking to sell, but just that the option is now on the table, should a lucrative enough offer appear. With the departure of Konaté, should van Dijk — and possibly even Alisson Becker — leave as well, it would give Iraola the responsibility of creating a whole new defense for the team.
It isn’t often that a team changes over the summer in such fundamental ways as Liverpool will be. The World Cup has hindered the early deals that Liverpool usually tries to make, but in a few weeks when the tournament wraps up, it will be fascinating to watch how Andoni Iraola and the transfer committee reshape the squad to prepare for this season.

Liverpool are reconstructing their centre-back line.
Last summer the Reds signed Giovanni Leoni for £26m from Parma. This week they announced the capture of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for a fee that could top £60m.
Other promising young defenders like Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe have also arrived - safeguarding the position long into the future.
The outgoing Premier League champions require numbers and quality in the position for several reasons.
Ibrahima Konate, 27, has joined Real Madrid on a free transfer. And other senior options - Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez - are out of contract in 2027.

While Real Madrid are currently prioritising departure operations over arrivals, they continue to maintain contacts and negotiations with key targets.
The centre-back position is still seen as a department in need of reinforcements by Jose Mourinho, despite the arrival of Ibrahima Konate.
After all, the Portuguese manager does not seem to trust the current Real Madrid back-line and is looking to revamp the complete department with new arrivals. Alessandro Bastoni, on that front, has emerged as a top target.
Real Madrid and Mourinho rate the Inter Milan defender highly, and as reported by AS (h/t Madrid Xtra) in a recent update, the new manager sees Bastoni as the 'perfect' fit for his plans.
Bastoni is Real Madrid's priority signing. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The transfer rumour mill continues at pace. Here is all the latest gossip from around Europe.
Ruben Amorim wants an anchor for his AC Milan defence, as the new head coach plans a defensive overhaul.
According toGazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is the dream target for Amorim. An Anfield exit looks impossible, however, with Liverpool losing Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid earlier in the summer. Portuguese pair Goncalo Inacio and Andre Silva look liklier options for the ex-Manchester United manager.
Real Madrid are reportedly giving serious thought to the sale ofAurélien Tchouaméni. The midfielder has suitors in the Premier League and the Spaniards are tempted to cash in should a big bid arrive. Manchester United have Tchouaméni on their shortlist and could be tempted after missing out on Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham. Real value the Frenchman at around €90m.
Speaking of Spurs, the uber-active North Londoners are continuing their summer splurge.Robert De Zerbi has his sights set on a ball-playing goalkeeper with Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford on the club's radar. Trafford wants a regular role and The Independent claim Spurs are keen. Guglielmo Vicario's exit for Serie A could free up room in the squad.

Liverpool need to count their pennies this summer.
They have an awful lot of players to add to their ranks and, since they're a sell to buy club, there's probably not a lot left in their war chest at the moment.
And, that's because last summer, they spent £450 million on new players expecting that to be the only overhaul needed for a while.
But, after finishing fifth in the Premier League it's clear that even more money is needing to be invested into Liverpool's ranks.
That is, especially now that Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all left.

Real Madrid’s search for a new centre-back ahead of the 2026/27 season is certainly ongoing, but one name can now be removed from the club’s shortlist.
According to journalist Mario Cortegana, Piero Hincapie to Real Madrid is not a possibility this summer despite recent reports linking the Ecuadorian defender with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu.
It must be noted that Los Blancos remain active in the market for defensive reinforcements even after securing Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer from Liverpool, but it appears Hincapie is no longer under consideration.
The Piero Hincapie transfer rumours had gathered momentum over the past few weeks following suggestions that Jose Mourinho appreciated the player’s profile.
Reports had previously claimed that enquiries had been made regarding the Ecuador international, who fits many of the characteristics Real Madrid are seeking in a defender.