Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy provides an update on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future and answers all the key questions.
The saga took its turn on New Year’s Eve when Liverpool rejected a technical by Real Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold.
There was no formal offer but an approach was made by the Spanish side.
Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and reports in Spain have said the 26-year-old has informed Liverpool he wants to play for Madrid.
Reddy, who interviewed Alexander-Arnold in December, explains what this development means. . .
What does this new progression tell us about the situation of the clubs and the player before the summer?
Melissa says: For Real Madrid, it shows us unequivocally that Alexander-Arnold is their top full-back target for the summer, so much so that they don’t want to wait until then and would be willing to pay upwards of £20m to get the right-back in advance of his free agency.
They wouldn’t have made an approach to Liverpool to get him in this window if there wasn’t encouragement from the player’s end – but it’s important to underline here that doesn’t mean Alexander-Arnold wants to leave Liverpool this month. He is in the middle of a negotiation, and it benefits him to have Real show their hand, to have Liverpool fight for him, for his boyhood club to know Real’s intentions and make him an offer worth considering.
He is in an incredibly position in terms of negotiation.
Liverpool were never going to countenance Alexander-Arnold’s exit this month given their league and Champions League ambitions. They haven’t conceded defeat in keeping him and signing him to a new deal – and they won’t until he communicates that he wants to leave for Madrid. Until now, that has not been said.
Alexander-Arnold can now make talks with Real Madrid official. Does that replace anything?
Melissa says: This doesn’t change much in the sense that casual discussions happen all the time in fashion transfers and the party already knows the parameters for reaching an agreement. What this affects is how loud, open and forceful Real Madrid can now be in their pursuit of Trent, which will not be a delight for Liverpool or their fans. Prepare for overdrive, especially from Madrid newspapers.
Is there any danger that this situation with Trent can destabilise Liverpool’s title charge?
Melissa says: The conditions of the contract, i. e. the one where Real are willing to press aggressively and offensively with charm, are the uncomfortable cloud hanging over an imperious Liverpool, but I don’t think it’s going to derail them because of the professionalism of the players and his relationship with Arne Slot is very strong. I interviewed Trent two weeks ago and he explained how much he enjoyed the details provided through Slot and the adjustments made to his gameplay.
The ambition to win titles this season will take over everyone.
We’ve noticed that Real Madrid have made a move, do you see clubs making a move this month for Liverpool’s out-of-contract players Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah?
Melissa says: We’re talking about current in-form all-rounder Mohamed Salah and centre-back Virgil van Dijk, so it would be unexpected for any top team to try and lure them.
But I think they have made it clear that they need to stay at Anfield, and the market is tight, so the clubs that just accept it and allow them to compete at the top don’t have the monetary power that exists. climate to sell an option to Liverpool.
Both players enter the starting line-up of each top-flight team, regardless of who occupies their position; What matters is not their talent, but simply the state of market forces.
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