Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate has admitted to being "too afraid" to splash out due to fear of criticism from his brothers. The French defender, who is currently at the heart of a transfer tug-of-war with Real Madrid showing interest, has kept his spending habits under control.

Konate's contract with Liverpool is due to run out next summer, and Real Madrid are eager to snap him up on a free transfer. This could see the defender penning a lucrative contract with the Spanish giants. Despite the uncertainty over his future, Konate has no intention of going on a spending spree, attributing his grounded nature to his brothers.

"I became the player I am today thanks to each one of them", Konaté confessed. "From my first steps at Paris Universitee Club twenty years ago to Liverpool, they have always been a fundamental help. I didn't spend anything at all on hedonistic and personal pleasures. No new car, no clothes, no shoes. Nothing. I was too afraid they'd tell me I'd changed."

While his brothers helped keep his spending in check during the early stages of his career, Konate did admit that they encouraged...