Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly told Liverpool’s hierarchy that he is ready to turn down a new contract and wants to join Spanish giants Real Madrid next summer in a massive blow to the Merseyside outfit.
The 26-year-old’s current contract with the Premier League leaders is due to expire at the end of the season, meaning that he could leave Anfield as a free agent next summer and can agree a pre-contract deal with a foreign club from next month.
Liverpool attempted to reach a new deal with Alexander-Arnold, but no agreement was reached despite their most productive efforts.
Real Madrid have identified Alexander-Arnold as one of their key signings for the 2025 summer window, although they have also considered recruiting a new right-sided defender in January due to veteran star Dani Carvajal’s cruciate ligament injury, which has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
But now the front cover of Marca has delivered a telling blow to Arne Slot’s men by claiming that Alexander-Arnold has now informed Liverpool of his desire to join Madrid at the end of the season.
The report adds that Liverpool have made “several attempts” to keep the English full-back on Merseyside, but that the player intends to move to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he would sign for his intelligent friend and Three Lions teammate, Jude Bellingham. .
Real, meanwhile, are also understood to be keen on signing Alexander-Arnold in January but are waiting on Liverpool to make it clear that they would be open to selling their first-choice right-back before the season is over.
However, that move appears highly unlikely given how well the Reds are currently going both domestically and in Europe.
Liverpool are also yet to reach agreements with two more of their talismanic stars in Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, with both of their deals due to expire in the summer.
Asked if the terms of Liverpool’s contract with Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah would be changed on January 1, Slot replied on Friday: “If we did then, it’s probably not the time to tell them now.
“But in general, here I am not talking about contractual conditions and it would be strange if I were the one to announce that one of them has been extended, were it at another time.
“Keep asking because it’s your job, but you probably won’t get an answer from me.
“It is clear that from January 1 things may change a lot for you, however they are in constant conversations with the club and we will see what happens. As long as they continue to act like this, the coach, or the head coach, I should say, will be pleased with them.
The Reds are currently six points clear a the top of the Premier League and head to London to take on West Ham on Sunday.
Liverpool are in a position to sell Caoimhin Kelleher for the right value next summer and Newcastle are keeping an eye on the situation, although Alisson’s long-term deal may improve things.
Alisson remains Arne Slot’s undisputed no. 1 between the sticks and the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili at Liverpool next season will further complicate Kelleher’s situation.
Liverpool have already agreed a £25million fee for Mamardashvili and the 24-year-old is set to join up with the Reds next season. Sources say that Slot’s side have no plans to send him out on loan and will look to integrate him into the side straight away – leaving Kelleher available for transfer.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are in the frame to sign Torino star Samuele Ricci and are also ‘fighting’ with Manchester City for a second player, it has been claimed.
According to the latest news from the Italian press, Liverpool are ready to “start the hunt” for Ricci as they look for reinforcements in midfield in January.