Real Madrid could reportedly be well on their way to nabbing their man
Liverpool fans will reportedly learn the fate of Trent Alexander-Arnold sooner rather than later with a bold new report revealing the Reds have reluctantly agreed to sell their vice-captain to Real Madrid in the January window – but with a sizeable fee coming their way which may soften the blow somewhat.
The 26-year-old has been on the Liverpool books since the age of six, having risen through their academy to become both their vice-captain and come to be regarded as one of, if not the, best right-backs in world football. With an astonishing 102 goal involvements for the Reds from just 322 appearances, Alexander-Arnold certainly has the numbers to back up such claims.
However, with his deal at Anfield due to expire in just under eight months time, Alexander-Arnold will be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement overseas from January 1 – just 60 days from now.
And while Real Madrid have been strongly sniffing around a move to snare the player to the Bernabeu on a free transfer at the season’s end, an incredible new report claims the Spanish giants are now on the cusp of agreeing a fee to make the deal go through in the winter window.
Per Defensa Central, Liverpool are willing to accept a fee worth €50m (£42m, $54.3m) to allow the right-back to leave Anfield in the January window. Given the player could actually move for nothing just a matter of months later, that is an astronomical fee by any stretch.
However, needs must at Real and with Carlo Ancelotti shorn of the services of regular right-back Dani Carvajal due to a cruel season-ending injury, his deputy – winger Lucas Vazquez – has failed to prove himself capable of filling the void.
As a result, the report claims Florentino Perez is ready to sign off on a deal to sign Alexander-Arnold with immediate effect, with the Los Blancos determined not to lose any more ground to Barcelona in the title race and having suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to them last time out.
What has been said on Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool future?
The prospect of Alexander-Arnold departing for the Bernabeu was recently emphatically dismissed by trusted Liverpool reporter James Pearce, who branded such claims as “nonsense” last month.
However, little less than a month later and with no agreement reached on a new deal, the prospect of losing their star man remains a distinct possibility for the Merseysiders.
Sources have consistently told TEAMtalk that Real officials have been in constant contact with the player’s representatives over a prospective move to Madrid. Despite that, it is our understanding that there is a ‘calmness and confidence’ that Alexander-Arnold will commit to a new deal with Liverpool; a scenario backed up by Fabrizio Romano, who has stated the Reds remain the player’s first choice.
Alexander-Arnold himself has spoken warmly about Liverpool and indicated on numerous occasions of his love and affection for the club.
“I have always said I want to captain the club. That is a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands,” Alexander-Arnold told the media following a routine Anfield win over Bournemouth earlier this season.
“I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say.”
Asked what could influence that decision, he added: “The most important thing is always trophies. I want to win trophies.
“We were close to the title last season and we got a cup. The (quadruple) was on for a while I suppose.