Liverpool have until the start of January to agree a new contract with Trent Alexander-Arnold otherwise Real Madrid will present one of their own, according to reports.
The Reds right-back is one of three big-name stars who could leave Anfield for free at the end of the season. Progress is being made behind the scenes to tie Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate down to new terms, but fans are still waiting for a breakthrough on the futures of Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Los Blancos are said to hold a serious interest in Alexander-Arnold, who has shown flashes of discontent since Arne Slot arrived on Merseyside to replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season.
Related articles
Normally a mainstay in the line-up, the 26-year-old has been subbed off before full-time in four of Liverpool's seven matches so far this term. Alexander-Arnold is a one-club man, having joined Liverpool's academy as a schoolboy in 2004.
Now entering the prime years of his career, he will be at liberty to discuss a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs by the start of January unless he signs a new deal with Liverpool beforehand.
And according to Marca, Real Madrid will not cut the Reds any slack whatsoever, as they plan to put an offer on the table at the earliest possible opportunity.
Real are reportedly discussing Alexander-Arnold and Alponso Davies as full-back options ahead of next summer's transfer window, although there is believed to be 'more talk' about the former among senior figures at the Bernabeu.
Alexander-Arnold has played more than 300 matches for Liverpool since breaking into the first team as a teenager, revolutionising the right-back role with his whipped balls into the box and bucket-loads of assists. He also boasts 31 caps for England and has joined up with interim boss Lee Carsley for upcoming games against Greece and Finland.
Related articles
The international break has given Alexander-Arnold the chance to reunite with his close friend Jude Bellingham, whose career has gone to another level since ditching Borussia Dortmund to sign for Real Madrid last summer.
Liverpool fans will hope that Bellingham is not too persuasive, and that Anfield bosses step up their efforts to move contract talks forward. One thing working in the Reds' favour is the fact they sit top of the table, with six wins from seven Premier League matches marking an exceptional start under new manager Slot.
