Real Madrid eye Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, Barcelona exit update for Marcus Rashford - Euro Transfer News

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The latest Euro Transfer News sees Real Madrid planning on signing not one, but two French centre-backs, in Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano. Meanwhile, Barcelona have reacted to the rumours suggesting they are unhappy with Marcus Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United. Bradley Barcola's future at Paris Saint-Germain is also on the agenda.

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Madrid lurking amid Konate contract uncertainty

Ibrahima Konate is a target for Real Madrid with the Spanish giants keeping a close eye on his contract situation at Liverpool.

The French defender is in the final year of his contract at Anfield, with the Bernabeu a potential destination should a new deal not materialise.

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According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, talks between the player and club have slowed down with "no agreement between the two parties".

"Konate, for sure, is in the list of Real Madrid," said Romano. "For sure, [he] is one of the players they like. For sure, is one of the players they would like to bring in in 2026.

"But this will only happen if Konate doesn't extend his contract at Liverpool. So Liverpool will have an opportunity in the next months to extend his contract otherwise he will leave on a free, and Real Madrid are an option for Konate for sure."

The player himself joked over the weekend that French team-mate and Madrid star Kylian Mbappe calls him "every two hours" to push for the transfer.

Bayern look to fend off Madrid interest in Upamecano

Curiously, Madrid are also keen on Konate’s Les Bleus defensive partner Dayot Upamecano, with the two having played together at RB Leipzig.

Like Konate, Upamecano’s contract at current club Bayern Munich is set to expire in the summer of 2026, with the Liga giants said to be sniffing around.

However, the Bundesliga champions are set to resume contract talks with the player, according to BILD, in the hopes of keeping him at the club.

"His contract expires in 2026 – and the Bayern bosses are desperate to extend it," they write. "This is how things will continue at FC Bayern with Dayot Upamecano.

"Sport BILD recently reported that Real Madrid is keen on the Frenchman. Talks about a contract extension in Munich were put on hold during the transfer window.

"Now, those responsible, led by sporting director Max Eberl (51) and sporting director Christoph Freund (48), are resuming negotiations.

"According to BILD information, initial talks with Upamecano's advisors are to take place again in the near future."

Rashford Barca exit story dismissed

Barcelona have reportedly dismissed reports suggesting they are planning to end Marcus Rashford’s loan deal after just three matches.

The England international joined the Liga side on loan from Manchester United over the summer but is yet to find the target for his new club.

Reports in Spain suggested that Barcelona were exploring a way to end the deal. However, this has been debunked by journalist Guillem Balague.

"Absolutely rubbish that Barcelona is planning to end up early @MarcusRashford loan deal," he wrote on X.

"Barca told his representative that they have a lot of confidence in Rashford’s potential and that they believe he will recover as a top player."

Fabrizio Romano also said the claims had no basis, commenting: "Barcelona are very happy with Rashford, they're very happy with the deal they did.

"They're very happy with the attitude of Marcus Rashford. They are waiting obviously for Marcus to adapt.

"It's new football, new league, new city, new team-mates after spending a lot of time always in the same country, so for Rashford it is a big opportunity, he knows that, but they are completely aligned."

PSG to open Barcola contract extension talks

Paris Saint-Germain hope to tie down Bradley Barcola amid interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

According to Le Parisien, the club are set to open talks on an extension to his current five-year deal, which expires in 2028, to try and tie him down until 2030.

The 23-year-old, who impressed during PSG’s UEFA Champions League-winning run last season, joined the club from Lyon in 2023. He has also broken into the France national team, hoping to feature at the World Cup next summer.

"PSG and its representatives will begin negotiations for his extension in earnest," writes Le Parisien.

"As with Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes, the latest signings, it will be a long-term process.

"On the Parisian side, it's Luis Campos, the sporting advisor, who will lead the talks. The proposal would cover two more years, until June 30, 2030, since he signed for five years in the summer of 2023."

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