Real Madrid are reportedly 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 allowed to speak with other clubs about a pre-contract agreement, but it is understood Premier League bosses are adamant that his vice-captain will not do it. leave the club in January.
Sky Sports previously said no formal offer had been made for the England defender, while Spanish media claimed the Liverpool academy graduate had informed the Merseyside club he wanted to join Real.
According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Real made their “first official move” with contact made on New Year’s Eve, seeking a “cut-price deal”.
Now, the Telegraph reports that Los Blancos are considering a formal offer in the region of £20 million.
Real Madrid move increases 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. Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk are yet to agree new deals, meaning all three could leave this summer even though Arne Slot’s side are on course to win the Premier League title.
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 final four of the Carabao Cup.
Speaking in December, Alexander-Arnold said contract negotiations would not take place in 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 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 hand gesture, apparently in reference to the intense speculation over his future.
Liverpool have FOUR!
Trent Alexander-Arnold hits it from distance and it deflects Max Kilman towards goal 💫 pic.twitter.com/D5jeJeYMhL
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
When asked about the celebration, Slot replied: “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 need to say much more.
“I’m really happy with Trent, just as happy as I was with Mo [Salah] and with Virgil. So for me, there is no difference.
“To the outside world, there might be a little more going on around Trent in the media than with the other two, but I’m happy with all three of them at the moment.”
