Real Madrid are believed to be willing to pay £20million to bring Trent Alexander-Arnold to the Bernabeu this month, according to reports.
The Liverpool full-back, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is now free to speak to other clubs over a pre-contract deal, but it is understood the Premier League leaders are adamant their vice-captain will not leave the the club in January.
Sky Sports previously reported that no official offer had been made for the England defender, while Spanish media claimed that the Liverpool academy graduate has informed the Merseyside club that he wants to join Real.
According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Real made their “first official move” with the contact made on New Year’s Eve, seeking a “cut-price deal”.
Now, the Telegraph are reporting that Los Blancos are considering an official bid in the region of £20m.
Real Madrid move ramps up pressure on Trent Alexander-Arnold to confirm Liverpool’s intentions#TelegraphFootball | #LFC
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) January 1, 2025
Alexander-Arnold is not the only Liverpool player out of contract in June. Both Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk are yet to agree new deals, meaning all three could leave in the summer despite Arne Slot’s side on course to win the title of the Premier League.
Uncertainty over the future of the influential trio has threatened to overshadow what has so far been a hugely impressive start for Slot at Liverpool. As well as flying high in the league, Slot’s side have maintained a 100% record in Europe and are in the bottom four of the Carabao Cup.
Speaking in December, Alexander-Arnold said any contract negotiations would not be made public.
“I’ve been at the club for 20 years now,” he said. “I’ve signed four or five contract extensions and none of them have been played out publicly – and neither will this one.”
However, after scoring in Liverpool’s 5-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, the 26-year-old celebrated with a wave of his arm, seemingly in reference to intense speculation over his future.
Liverpool have FOUR!
Trent Alexander-Arnold shoots from distance and takes out Max Kilman in goal 💫 pic.twitter.com/D5jeJeYMhL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
Asked about the celebration, Slot said: “No, I don’t think it’s negative at all. He plays very well, scored a great goal and the way he celebrated his goal probably tells you enough. I don’t think I need to say much more about it.
“I’m very happy with Trent, as I am with Mo (Salah) and Virgil. So for me there is no difference.
“To the outside world, there’s maybe a bit more going on around Trent in the media than the other two, but I’m happy with all three at the moment.”
