View: Liverpool have seven months to save the club from turmoil
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be free to leave Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract on 1 July 2025 – a little over seven months away.
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will also be able to leave Anfield on the same date and the Reds have just over seven months to prevent this disastrous scenario from unfolding.
However, in Trent’s case, Liverpool will be afforded more time to engineer a long-term extension, with Real Madrid not planning to move for the Scouser in January, as per Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian journalist provided the latest on Madrid’s plan for Trent via his YouTube channel [7 November, 6:30] and revealed the La Liga side feel it is “impossible” to lure the full-back from Anfield before his deal expires.
He said: “I am told that for January, Real Madrid internally feel that it is going to be almost mission impossible to sign Trent in the January transfer window. Trent is a name for the summer transfer window.
“That’s the idea for Real Madrid, and he’s always been considered a top, top, top target for the summer at Real Madrid.
“The only way to make it happen in January is if Liverpool tell them, ‘okay, let’s negotiate’. But Liverpool, at the moment, are absolutely not opening the doors to that.
“Liverpool are very happy with Trent as part of the squad. Liverpool are still discussing with Trent over a new deal, and Liverpool are still pushing to keep Trent at the club, to extend his contract, to find a way.”
All hell will break loose in Liverpool if Trent Alexander-Arnold signs for Real Madrid
Real Madrid is Real Madrid and while their pull is undeniable there is nothing quite like the bond between a player and his boyhood club.
The Reds suffered at the hands of this bond this summer as Martin Zubimeni turned down a move to Anfield in favour of remaining with Real Sociedad.
Now, the club will be hoping Trent makes the same decision while it may seem like a vastly more complex situation, it is fairly simple for the 25-year-old.
Michael Owen and Steve McManaman are locals who chose the same path in their respective careers albeit, they did go on to win titles in Madrid but still, many years later, the pair are despised on Merseyside.
Furthermore, Liverpool are leading the Premier League and Champions League under Slot whereas Real Madrid are reeling off a humiliating 4-0 loss in the El Classico against Barcelona and a shock 3-1 loss in the Champions League against AC Milan at the Bernabeu.
However, the board must take responsibility for allowing the club to find itself in such a perilous position – the prospect of three vital first team players walking for free is a sackable offence.
Real Madrid as we all know will not give up and if Trent’s head has turned then so be it, but the Reds have time to find common ground and facilitate the big long-term contract he deserves.
Until then, this saga will surely rumble on until the final months of his contract when a decision must be made one way or the other – nobody can truly tell which way this will all end.
In other Liverpool news, Luis Diaz could be the perfect solution to an ongoing concern for the Reds.
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