Real Madrid could pay a small transfer fee to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold before his Liverpool contract expires, according to reports. The defender is thought to have agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants over a move to the Bernabeu next season. A deal has been in the works since January, when Real Madrid had an approach knocked back by their Merseyside counterparts.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to sign a five-year contract, which will see him earn more than £220,000 per week. He remains tied down to Liverpool until the end of June, but Real Madrid could try to prise him away before then so he can play in the Club World Cup. The new-look tournament is set to begin in the United States on June 15.
Real Madrid are willing to pay a transfer fee of around £5million to sign Alexander-Arnold on the first day of June, according to The Sun. They are said to be optimistic that Liverpool will accept it and release him early, allowing him to feature in the Club World Cup.
The deal would also save Liverpool a month's wages on the England international, who is earning around £140,000 per week at Anfield.
Real Madrid explored a move for Alexander-Arnold earlier in the campaign, making an approach on the eve of the January window. Liverpool, however, were determined to keep their vice-captain in preparation for the Premier League run-in.
They are now said to be resigned to his impending departure, which suggests they could be tempted to accept Real Madrid's offer rather than letting him leave on a free transfer.
Alexander-Arnold is set to make his final appearance for Liverpool on the last day of the Premier League season, when the Reds host Crystal Palace. They will almost certainly lift the trophy after the final whistle, given their 12-point lead with nine games to go.
The defender is not the only Liverpool player to be out of contract in the summer, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the same boat. However, the Reds are said to be confident that new deals will be arranged for the pair in good time.
Alexander-Arnold has made 349 appearances for his boyhood club, winning almost every available trophy in the process. He is likely to add to his tally at Real Madrid, where he will be viewed as the long-term successor to Dani Carvajal.
Liverpool already have Conor Bradley in their ranks, but they could decide to target a bigger name when the transfer market re-opens.