Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has given a cryptic response to the club's January transfer plans, amid their bid to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Spanish and European champions approached Liverpool on New Year's Eve to sign the contract in January, but that was quickly rejected.
Sources in Madrid suggest they are willing to try again with an official bid and it is believed they would be willing to pay around £20million to sign Alexander-Arnold now, rather than on a free transfer in the summer.
The Liverpool-born star, 26, can now legally talk to Real – and other foreign clubs – and could sign a deal to join them for nothing when his Reds deal expires at the end of this season.
Ancelotti was expected to lead Real Madrid's pursuit of Alexander-Arnold in January, with veteran right-back Dani Carvajal on the sidelines with an injury.
The Real Madrid boss was asked about the club's transfer plans during a press conference on Friday, ahead of their first La Liga match of the year against Valencia.
“We'll see,” Ancelotti replied.
He added: Talking about this in this context is more complicated, we'll see. We have a lot of competitions in January and we are focusing on this.
'It is not easy for me to talk about the market now.
“I don't want to talk about it because I don't think this is the right time to talk about it here.
“We'll see what happens, but I'm happy with the team we have.”
Liverpool are not expected to budge from their firm position that Alexander-Arnold will not leave halfway through his own quest for glory, even noting that he could leave for nothing in six months.
Arne Slot's side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and have a game in hand against second-placed Arsenal.
The Reds are also in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and top the expanded Champions League with a perfect record of six consecutive wins.
Real Madrid are confident they can tempt Alexander-Arnold to join them but must convince him to leave his boyhood club.
Liverpool insist no agreement has been reached on his departure – now or in the summer – and they have received no verbal indication that the vice-captain wants to move to Spain.
Real are currently second in La Liga, with Ancelotti's side one point behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.
The reigning European champions face two important Champions League games this month, with the Spanish giants currently in 20th place and clinging to a play-off spot.
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