Liverpool can sign ‘unstoppable’ £30m Alexander-Arnold replacement – Exclusive
Liverpool could be in the market for a Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement in the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old looks set to join Real Madrid when his contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season after reports in Spain claimed that a deal was agreed between the two parties.
Those claims have been cooled with suggestions that no agreement has been reached yet, but the Reds may be braced for his departure and will be drawing up a list of options.
Liverpool could make Martim Fernandes move
Liverpool have to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold if he departs, as the only other senior right-back on their books is Conor Bradley.
Porto star Martim Fernandes is one name that has been linked, and Portuguese football expert Zach Lowy believes that he would be able to make the step up.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, he said: “Martim Fernandes is a very promising young prospect. In the past year, he has done very well to distance himself from João Mario and prevail as the main right back for Porto.
“I think that it would make sense to have him and Conor Bradley, two very promising but different young full-backs, competing to fill Trent Alexander-Arnold’s void.
“He is somebody who is similar to Trent, he is really good technically, perhaps a better dribbler than passer, but really good at striking the ball cleanly and puts in a fantastic cross.
“He is somebody who his teammates will typically look for to find a solution under pressure, really good at dribbling out of tight areas, isn’t the most physically imposing, but he is pretty much unstoppable whenever he can accelerate and get into space.
“Someone who is incredibly exciting going forward, I think he would be a really good fit for Liverpool under Arne Slot, obviously he has only been playing senior football for less than 12 months, so still fairly green but I am confident he would be a good fit because in terms of his technical ability, it is clear as day that he is world-class in these facets in terms of hitting the ball and dribbling with his head up.
“I would imagine he would probably cost around £30-40million. Porto would want to hang on to him, but I am confident that Liverpool would be able to pick him up.”
Who is Liverpool target Fernandes?
Fernandes is a 19-year-old right-back who plays for Porto.
The Portugal Under-19 international has made 19 appearances in the top tier this season, notching five assists.
| Stats (League) | Fernandes | Alexander-Arnold |
| Matches | 19 | 28 |
| Assists | 5 | 6 |
| Duels won (per 90) | 5.5 (50.4%) | 3.76 (46.6%) |
| Aerial duels won (per 90) | 1.28 (50%) | 0.13 (20%) |
| Minutes played | 1129 | 2157 |
His technical abilities mean that he could become a high-volume playmaker from deep and replicate what Alexander-Arnold has done at Liverpool in recent years, albeit to a lesser extent.
Meanwhile, in terms of his defensive abilities, he is aggressive in duels and has shown that he can cover space and anticipate danger.
It remains to be seen whether the Reds make their move, but he would be a very exciting addition to the team that Slot is building at Anfield.