- 4 hours ago
Real Madrid CONFIRM Trent Alexander-Arnold plan
Real Madrid have reportedly informed Liverpool of their plan to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer next summer.
The 26-year-old is due to become a free agent when his current deal at Anfield expires next June and despite talks of a contract extension, Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are searching for a new right-back to eventually replace Dani Carvajal and they have identified Alexander-Arnold as their priority transfer target for 2025.
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Real Madrid have now informed Liverpool of their desire to sign Alexander-Arnold, according to talkSPORT.
Los Blancos will be able to reach a pre-contract agreement with the England international in January, but they are reportedly eager to remain respectful to Liverpool and they have formally registered their interest in the defender.
Alexander-Arnold is close friends with Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and the pair’s relationship has intensified rumours that the Liverpool man could opt to leave Anfield in order to move to Spain.
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What has been said?
Although Real Madrid have stated their desire to sign Alexander-Arnold, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the England international will choose to extend his contract at Anfield rather than secure a move to Spain.
Carragher told CBS Sports: “I think he [Alexander-Arnold] will get a lot more criticism (than Mohamed Salah) because when you’re a local player a lot more is thought of you. And I think that the feeling of the Liverpool supporters will worry him a little bit and I think he’ll end up signing.
“I think he will be very worried about the reaction if he didn’t sign and he left on a free to go to, say, Real Madrid.
“I think that when you are a local player you don’t want to lose the legacy that he’s already got.
“He’s been there since he was a boy, he’s 26 now and he’s won everything. You don’t want to lose that and I think he’ll sign.”