Real Madrid are reportedly confident of signing Trent Alexander-Arnold in January. Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points on Boxing Day after coming from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1. While Liverpool are enjoying a strong season under Arne Slot, the contract situations of Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk have become a subplot.
All three players are set to be out of contract at the end of the season, and none of them have agreed to new deals yet.
According to Relevo journalist Javier Rodríguez Pascua, Real Madrid have informed Liverpool of their intention to negotiate a free-agent deal for Alexander-Arnold in January and are “confident” of securing his signature. The Athletic also reports that Real are optimistic about the potential arrival of the England international, although any transfer would likely only take place in the summer.
Real Madrid’s interest in Alexander-Arnold has been well-documented, and an ACL injury to first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal has left them without a fully fit, recognized full-back. As Alexander-Arnold enters the final six months of his contract with Liverpool, he will be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with other clubs starting January 1.
After Liverpool’s match against Leicester, Slot avoided commenting on the players’ contract situations, instead focusing on their performances and suggesting there was still room for improvement, particularly with Alexander-Arnold.
“We don’t talk about contracts in public,” Slot said to Amazon Prime Video. “This is something for the players and Richard [Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director]. It’s not my place to discuss these matters publicly.
It’s clear Mo had a good game again, Virgil played very well, and Trent was excellent for the most part, though there were a couple of exceptions. But especially in the second half, he was very good.”
