Real Madrid have secured the signing of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold on a flexible transfer, with a January deal still possible, according to reports.
The Reds are enjoying a brilliant first season under Arne Slot, with the Dutchman leading Liverpool to the top spot in the Premier League, six points clear of second-placed Nottingham Forest, who held them to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday. at night, with a game in hand. hand.
Liverpool also topped the 36-team Champions League table with two games remaining and Slot may not have needed a better start as new head coach.
But the Liverpool boss has had to deal with some off-field issues with Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk out of contract at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid with Liverpool fans frustrated that one of their academy products could leave for nothing in the summer, especially when they are so well placed in the Premier League.
And now the presenter of El Chiriguito, Josep Pedrerol, close to Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, has shown that Alexander Arnold and the white team have “reached an agreement” for the Liverpool defender to sign for the club flexibly this summer.
Pedrerol said: “Alexander-Arnold has closed an agreement to join Real Madrid in June. There are still some minor details, but if nothing happens, he will play for Real Madrid next season and will arrive on a free transfer.”
While admitting that a deal “looks very difficult” in January, Pedrerol revealed that a deal between Liverpool and Real Madrid could be agreed this winter if the Premier League reduces its demands to around €40m.
Pedrerol added: “There is the possibility that Liverpool will lower their demands [in January] but this seems very difficult because Liverpool are fighting for everything. To let a starting full-back go now would be very complicated.
“Real Madrid is going to spend between 70 and 80 million euros, the figure that Liverpool is considering, for it to arrive now. “
Pedrerol continued: “Real Madrid will try to hire someone to sign for him in January but it will not exceed 30 or 40 million euros. It is the maximum figure. “
“So we are at the point where Alexander-Arnold will arrive at Real Madrid this summer, but it is possible that he will arrive this month as long as Liverpool reduce their demands to 35 or 40 million euros.
“It’s done for June, it’s a possibility for January.”
Former Liverpool player Jurgen Klopp, who replaced via Slot in the summer, has discussed the futures of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp said: “Oh yes. Virgil, I’m pretty sure he’d like to spend five more years at Liverpool and then between 41 and 44 at the New York Red Bulls because he’s probably underestimating American football. But with open arms”, no problem.
“Mo, yes, would love to – I don’t think we have a chance to pay him to be honest.
“And then Trent, yeah, and he could finally learn defending, eh? I can’t believe that you all discuss this still, it’s so poor and I’m really happy I’m not part of that.
“I watched the press conference when he (Klopp’s successor Arne Slot) had to talk about it, and you think ‘oh my God, they still don’t understand it’!
“And yes, he didn’t play well against Manchester United (the 2-2 draw at Anfield on January 5), but if you can make as much fuss about him when he plays well as you do when he does when I don’t play well, it would be a great planet.