Spanish media reveals that Liverpool defender Konaté has agreed to join on a free transfer next summer, while Alaba will be released.

Real Madrid’s approach to acquiring center-backs on free transfers is about to start again. The latest report from Marco Ruiz of Spanish media AS reveals Liverpool’s 26-year-old French defenderKonatéhas agreed to join Real Madrid, while Alaba will be released by the club, and Rüdiger might also be released.

The journalist described the situation as follows: both Alaba and Rüdiger have contracts expiring next summer. Real Madrid believes the 33-year-old Austrian defender Alaba has suffered from persistent knee injuries, sidelining him for over a year, making his recovery difficult. His contract ends after this season, and Madrid will not renew it. Meanwhile, 32-year-old German defender Rüdiger’s form has also declined, with knee issues, and his contract also expires at the end of this season, with Madrid likely not to extend it. Since both Alaba and Rüdiger are free transfer signings, their salaries are high—Alaba earns €22.5 million annually, while Rüdiger receives €14.58 million.

Real Madrid plans to add a new center-back next summer, again through a free transfer. The target is Liverpool’s French defender Konaté, whose contract expires at the end of this season, allowing Madrid to sign him on a free next summer. Konaté has already agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer, and as long as he avoids any major injuries this season, the deal is almost certain.

Liverpool failed to sign Gueye in last summer’s transfer window; the Crystal Palace defender’s contract also expires at the end of this season, and Liverpool is likely to pursue him on a free transfer next summer.