Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing up a free transfer swoop for Trent Alexander-Arnold next summer
Real Madrid are eager to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold - but only on a free transfer.
Alexander-Arnold will become a free agent in the summer and can begin pre-contractual talks with clubs in January after failing to agree fresh terms with the Reds.
The right-back is one of three Liverpool players who are are set to leave on a free transfer as things stand. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also in danger of departing for nothing with no news on any breakthrough in contract talks.
Alexander-Arnold came through the Liverpool youth system and has since become one of the most highly-rated full-backs in the game. He's played 326 times for his boyhood club and already won the Premier League and Champions League.
[
Arne Slot shut down £33m defender during private talks over Liverpool transfer](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-news-arne-slot-34241482)
As per the Telegraph, Madrid are now keen to snap up the 26-year-old but will avoid trying to sign him in January. Instead, the report says the LaLiga giants will wait to see if he becomes available on a free transfer in the summer of 2025.
Alexander-Arnold is "hugely admired" at the Bernabeu, it goes on to say, with the player seen as a potential long-term replacement for long-serving right-back Dani Carvajal - who has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
Any team hoping to sign the England defender would surely be able to sign him at a slightly lower fee given that his contract is expiring, but Madrid are still intent on waiting to see what happens with him in the summer, the report says.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti addresses the media
Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are said to be "big admirers" of the 26-year-old ( Image: 2024 Anadolu)
It seems unlikely that Liverpool would agree to let Alexander-Arnold go mid-season while they are top of the table and in contention to win their first Premier League since 2020.
Alexander-Arnold has been central to their rise under Arne Slot this season. He has started 12 of their 13 games in the Premier League this season, providing two assists in all competitions.
He has been struggling with a hamstring issue in recent games that forced him out of the wins over Southampton and Real Madrid but returned to the team for their 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Slot said he was managing the player's minutes to ensure he did not suffer a set-back in his recovery and said playing 90 minutes would be a challenge for him at present. He said: "Last weekend against City, we didn't think it was smart to play Trent for 90 minutes after his injury. That's probably going to be the same tomorrow and on Saturday as well."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.