Following the latest update on Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future, Arne Slot has reportedly intensified Liverpool's move to sign a potential replacement for just £25m this summer.
Alexander-Arnold "very close" to joining Real Madrid - Romano
Yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, Alexander-Arnold's future has looked likely to be away from Anfield for a few months now - especially with Real Madrid lurking. And if there was any remaining hope that he would stay put this summer, then Fabrizio Romano's latest update may well spark the beginning of the end for any talk of a new contract.
According to the reporter, the deal between Real Madrid and Alexander-Arnold is "very close" and he is "expected" to join the Spanish giants on a free deal in a major blow for the Reds. Whilst it will be news for those around Merseyside, however, Slot has already reportedly set his sights on finding a replacement and one that he knows well.
According to Caught Offside, Slot is now personally intensifying Liverpool's move to sign Givairo Read from Feyenoord this summer in a deal worth around €25m (£20m).
Phil Foden for England Related
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Liverpool could have done with an extra dimension in attack this season.
The Reds reportedly see Read as a long-term solution to their fresh right-back problem following the 18-year-old's solid campaign in the Netherlands. The fact that he's already got an admirer in Slot should certainly help too - it was only this time last year that the Liverpool boss was handing Read his first-team debut at Feyenoord.
Now, the right-back looks set to get the chance to reunite with his former manager and complete the biggest move of his career yet.
"Fantastic" Read can replace Alexander-Arnold
After bidding farewell to their own academy graduate and one that Jurgen Klopp welcomed into the first-team, Liverpool would be wise to turn towards Feyenoord's rising star and one that Slot brought through in the Netherlands.
AC Milan's Rafael Leao in action with Feyenoord's Givairo Read
Read certainly looks talented enough to eventually replace Alexander-Arnold at Anfield too, having assisted as many as seven goals so far this season - the same number that Liverpool's chief creator has managed.
Earning plenty of praise as a result, football talent scout Jacek Kulig was left in awe of Read's "fantastic performances" against AC Milan in the Champions League this season.
When the summer arrives, it could yet be Liverpool left in awe of the teenager's performances as they look to forget all about Alexander-Arnold's likely exit in the coming months.
At 18 years old, Read already ticks a number of boxes for those at Anfield as they look to hand Slot a familiar face within his backline.