Trent Alexander-Arnold exit: Real Madrid transfer bombshell as development emerges
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been at the centre of attention with Liverpool for many reasons this season.
Sometimes it’s been due to his exceptional performances and at others, it’s been to do with the number of injuries he’s sustained.
However, one of the main topics of conversation around Alexander-Arnold this term has been where his future lies.
Alexander-Arnold alongside Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all have their contracts expiring at the end of the 2024/25 season and none have yet extended their stays which is obviously a major cause for concern.
And, if a new report from the Telegraph is to be believed, Liverpool will likely have a battle on their hands to keep him at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future with Liverpool is still up in the air
When fit and ready to play, Alexander-Arnold is one of, if not the most important men among Arne Slot’s ranks.
His keen eye for a pass alongside his commanding presence on the pitch are just two of the things that make him ideal for the Dutchman’s set-up.
So, it’s a tad worrying that Real Madrid are likely to “step up” their attempts to sign him.
“Real Madrid will step up their attempts to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold as a Bosman free agent in the summer as part of the European champions’ “all-or-nothing” transfer policy,” The Telegraph wrote (12 February).
“The Spanish giants have targeted Alexander-Arnold, 26, as a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal, although no agreement is yet in place despite the Liverpool defender being permitted to negotiate a pre-contract with other clubs.
“Alexander-Arnold has less than five months left on his contract at Anfield and is allowed to move on a free this summer without an extension in place.”
Arne Slot needs to tie Trent Alexander-Arnold down
It’s been made abundantly clear thanks to the Reds’ recent games against PSV and Plymouth that without all of their first-team players available, Liverpool don’t have that much depth.
The Eredivisie and Championship sides both managed to bear Liverpool in their recent outings against them and that’s likely due to players such as Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold not being in the starting XI.
And, even though Connor Bradley seems to be a more than solid back-up for the Englishman at the moment, he’s not yet to be a first-team regular.
Which is why it feels almost essential for Liverpool to extend the Englishman’s stay and allow him to develop an even better legacy at Anfield than the one he already has.
If the Reds end the 2024/25 season without at least two of their three star man tied down to extended stays, it feels like all the progress this year may as well get thrown away.
Only time will tell what the future holds but for now, Liverpool need to try their best to get them to all stay on.