REAL MADRID have joined Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate, according to reports.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane took a liking to the 21-year-old while keeping tabs on his defensive partner Dayot Upamecano who has signed for Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid have joined Man Utd and Chelsea in the race to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima KonateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Zidane suggested to Real they move to sign Frenchman Konate but his £38.8million release clause and his injury record are putting Madrid off, according to DefensaCentral.
Upamecano, 22, had a £37m release clause which Bayern met earlier this month.
And he is considered the better player by Real so they are loathe to pay more for Konate.
The fact Konate has managed just eight Bundesliga games this season because of muscle and ankle injuries has also made Los Blancos wary about making a move in the short term.
But Zidane may not be afforded the luxury of waiting with United and Chelsea reportedly weighing up bids.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on a first-choice centre-back partner to play with skipper Harry Maguire.
Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe have all had chances this season but United want someone else to come in.
Thomas Tuchel also wants to make his mark on the Chelsea squad this summer.
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The German has used a back three since taking over at the Bridge and Konate usually plays in the same system at Leipzig.
And according to The Independent, Liverpool also want to try and sign Konate at the end of the season.
The 11-cap France Under-21 star joined Leipzig on a free transfer in 2017 from Sochaux.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
