Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to Real Madrid from Liverpool
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Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield on November 02, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is wanted by Real Madrid
(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
With Trent Alexander-Arnold yet to settle his long-term future with Liverpool, speculation will remain that he could end up a Real Madrid player. In the short term, those fears have at least been shut down by the man himself.
Returning to the team from his latest injury with a world-class performance against Manchester City, the Reds were reminded just how important their vice-captain is. Once again, this shone a light on his ongoing contract talks with his time at Anfield on track to end with the 2024/25 season's close.
Days before Pep Guardiola's side were the visitors, it was Real Madrid - the club Alexander-Arnold has been most heavily linked with - who were the visitors to Anfield. They were also sent packing by a 2-0 scoreline, with the full-back watching on from the substitutes bench.
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Approaching the January transfer window, the situation could show its first signs of boiling over. Alexander-Arnold will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs over a free summer move whilst the Spanish giants could make a cash offer for a winter switch.
Doubts over that latter point have been cast by The Telegraph, who with the very latest word say Real Madrid will only move to sign the player for free once his Liverpool deal expires.
And even before that claim was made on Tuesday, Alexander-Arnold threw cold water over the suggestion he will depart mid-season when asked all the way back in September.
"I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say," he responded to questions about his possible contract renewal at the time.
He had also added: "I have always said I want to captain the club, that is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, [but] whether that happens is out of my hands.
"Look, I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. And this one won’t be either.
"The most important thing is always trophies, if I am honest. I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite.
"So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win, then that is what drives me."