Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly interested in signing for Real Madrid this summer. With talks ramping up and the right-back into the final year of his Liverpool contract, new Reds boss Arne Slot is at risk of suffering a painful blow early in his tenure.
Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool are yet to reach an agreement over a contract extension. The club could end up losing the 25-year-old for free next year if they don't cash in on him over the coming weeks and he is allowed to run down his current deal.
Sensing an opportunity, Real Madrid have reportedly been in talks with Alexander-Arnold's camp for the last month. According to Bild, the Liverpool star is 'interested' in a move to the Bernabeu.
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One of Alexander-Arnold's closest friends in the England squad, Jude Bellingham, has earned his living with Los Blancos since last summer. A move to Spain's capital would also see the Liverpool academy product link up with superstar forward Kylian Mbappe.
Slot will be desperate not to lose Alexander-Arnold during his first summer at the helm. The flying full-back, who can also play in central midfield, has made more than 300 appearances and scored 19 goals since breaking into the Reds' first team as a teenager.
Real Madrid's interest in Alexander-Arnold becoming 'concrete' places extra pressure on Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes to thrash out an agreement over renewed terms for the defender.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will also be free agents in the summer of 2025 unless extensions are put in place. The Reds are yet to make any senior signings this summer as Slot beds in at Anfield.
Losing Alexander-Arnold to the reigning Spanish champions would be a miserable way to kick-start their business this window. Liverpool's sought-after full-back endured a troubled Euro 2024 campaign as England were beaten in the final by Spain.
Alexander-Arnold started group games against Serbia and Denmark in central midfield before being dropped to the bench. Conor Gallagher initially took his place before Kobbie Mainoo stepped in for the run to Berlin.
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Scoring the winning penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Switzerland was Alexander-Arnold's last act of the tournament. It remains to be seen whether Real have the funds to tempt Liverpool, given their lucrative deals for Endrick and Kylian Mbappe went through this summer.
Slot and the Reds have just over a month until their Premier League campaign gets underway with a trip to newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
