Real Madrid have approached Liverpool about signing Trent Alexander-Arnold before the end of his contract so that the right back can play at the Club World Cup, according to reports.
The Liverpool right back made the news that had long been reported official on Monday, announcing that he would not be signing a new contract at his boyhood club.
It brought an end to a saga that had stretched on for much of the season with him, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all set to be out of contract by this summer.
However, the forward and centre back would both go on to pen terms, with Alexander-Arnold now set to embark on a new chapter.
He has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, who made an approach in January to bring him to the Bernabeu already, but The Times is now reporting that the Spanish giants are keen make another move.
The report claims that Los Blancos hope to have Alexander-Arnold at the club in time for the new, expanded version of the Club World Cup over the summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool on a free transfer, the right back has announced
During his time at the club Alexander-Arnold won every possible trophy available at club level
Real Madrid (pictured – president Florentino Perez) are thought to have made contact on Monday evening
The talks are thought to have begun on Monday evening, just a few hours after the player made his decision to leave the club public, and sources are believed to be claiming Real Madrid would be willing to pay some compensation.
His current deal will end on June 30, with the competition in the United States getting underway earlier in the month, Real Madrid facing Al-Hilal in their opener on June 18. Liverpool, meanwhile, will play their final game this term on May 25, the final day of the Premier League.
Should the Reds hold firm, Alexander-Arnold would still be able to feature in the latter stages of the competition provided the deal goes through before July 3.
FIFA established a special window for registration between June 27 and July 3 with the tournament starting at a period where numerous contracts are expiring or coming into place.
Mail Sport understands that the right back will pen a deal with Real Madrid keeping him in the Spanish capital for five years.
Alexander-Arnold’s England team-mate, and close friend, Jude Bellingham is the star of the show at Real Madrid, who are believed to be preparing to make Xabi Alonso their new manager following the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold posted an emotional video announcing his impending departure on Monday, stating: ‘Ok. After 20 years at Liverpool football club I’ll be leaving at the end of the season. I think the decision for me is personal. To change environment, to challenge myself elsewhere.
‘It’s not about wanting to find something better, it’s about me and my personal journey as a player and I feel like now is the right time for me to go and experience that.
Alexander-Arnold took to X on Monday morning to confirm his Liverpool exit this summer
Real Madrid will begin their Club World Cup campaign 12 days before the end of Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool contract
He is known to be a close friend of Real Madrid’s star midfielder Jude Bellingham (pictured)
‘People won’t be happy with the decision, but it’s something that I feel like I need to do on my journey and my career.
‘The times that I’ve had here, the memories, the special moments, are and will be some of the best moments I’ll have in my life – and memories that live with me forever.
‘And I’m eternally grateful to everyone who’s helped me along the way. Being able to sit here now as a two-time Premier League champion for the club that I grew up loving, it’s a great end to the story for me.
‘Of course it’s very emotional for me. It’s all I’ve ever known. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted to do. Dreamed of as a kid. It’s just very emotional if I’m honest because the club, the city, the fans, the people have given me things that I could never have dreamt of in my wildest dreams.
‘It’s a journey that I’ve lived through that millions of people will dream of doing and I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to experience it. I’ll never forget it and I can’t think everyone enough for the support, the belief, amazing moments we’ve had.
‘The love I have for this club will never leave. It will never diminish. I’ll love it forever. I’ll forever be in debt to the club and the fans for everything they’ve done for me. And there’s no doubt about it, I’ll be back. Any chance I get, I’ll come watch games. I’ll be supporting, I’ll be wanting the club to win and the club to be successful.
‘There’s nothing changing in that. I will always remain a Liverpool fan.
