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 will be out of contract at the end of the season, is now permitted to speak to other clubs about a pre-contract agreement, but it is understood the Premier League leaders are adamant their vice-captain will not leave the club in January.
Sky Sports previously said that no formal offer had been made for the England defender, while Spanish media claimed the Liverpool academy graduate has informed the Merseyside club that he wants to join Real.
According to the Times’ Paul Joyce, Real made their “first official move” with contact made on New Year’s Eve, seeking a “cut-price deal.”
Now, the Telegraph are reporting that Los Blancos are considering a formal offer in the region of £20million.
Real Madrid move ramps up pressure on Trent Alexander-Arnold to confirm Liverpool intentions#TelegraphFootball | #LFC
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) January 1, 2025
Alexander-Arnold is not the only Liverpool player whose contract expires in June. Both Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk are yet to agree new deals, meaning all three could depart in the summer despite Arne Slot’s side being on course to win the Premier League title.
The uncertainty over the future of the influential trio has threatened to overshadow what has so far been an hugely impressive start for Slot at Liverpool. As well as flying high in the league, Slot’s team have maintained a 100% record in Europe, and are in the last four of the Carabao Cup.
Speaking in December, Alexander-Arnold said any contract negotiations would not play out in public.
“I have been at the club 20 years now,” he said. “I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public – and this one won’t be either.”
However, after scoring in Liverpool’s 5-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, the 26-year-old celebrated with a chirping gesture with his hand, seemingly in reference to the intense speculation over his future.
Liverpool have FOUR!
Trent Alexander-Arnold hits it from distance and it takes a deflection off Max Kilman into the 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’s playing really well, scored a great goal and the way he celebrated his goal probably tells you enough. I don’t think I have to say much more about it.
“I’m really happy with Trent, just as happy as I am with Mo [Salah] and with Virgil. So for me, there’s no difference.
“For the outside world, maybe there’s a bit more things happening around Trent in the media than with the other two but I’m happy with all three of them at the moment.”
