Transfer News: Impatient Real Madrid plot money + player swap for Liverpool star

Real Madrid are reportedly too impatient to wait for Ibrahima Konate's contract expiration at the end of the season and are preparing a bid that includes player swapping to help them sign him this summer. 

After losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer, Reds fans received more ominous news: Los Blancos's interest in Konate. 

Konate, like Arnold, is a contract rebel. His deal expires at the end of the season and he has yet to accept Liverpool's contract proposal, as he was reportedly unimpressed with the financial offer. 

Los Blancos were reported to be attentive to the situation and would be prepared to swoop in immediately when it becomes legally possible to do so in January, as they did with Arnold. 

According to a report from Fichajes, the record UCL winners want to bring the timeline forward and would like to sign Konate this summer. 

They are proposing a transfer fee of €10 million, with Moroccan midfielder Brahim Diaz included as a makeweight. It is unlikely Liverpool will accept, however, as they are still negotiating with the French defender. 

They have also shown they are prepared to let a player leave for free, as they rejected Real Madrid's €20 million bid in January for Arnold.