Report: Real Madrid set to launch bid for Konaté as Xabi Alonso insists on Liverpool star

Following the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid is ready to splash the cash again, looking to Liverpool once more to bolster their defense.

A 4-0 drubbing in the Club World Cup semi-final against PSG, in which defenders Antonio Rudiger and Raúl Asencio made costly errors, reportedly prompted the Real Madrid manager to request another central defender from Florentino Pérez.

According to Spanish media, via Abola, Ibrahima Konaté is a key target for Xabi Alonso, with the Spanish club prepared to offer £44 million for the 26-year-old French center-back.

Real Madrid recently signed defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth for €62.5 million, but Xabi Alonso reportedly needs to further reinforce his backline due to his preferred three-center-back system.

Spanish media also reports that the French international, who has just one year left on his Liverpool contract, is unwilling to renew with the Reds and has expressed a clear desire to join Real Madrid.