Real Madrid is progressing in discussions about signing Liverpool -defender Trent Alexander -Arnold when his deal in Liverpool ends at the end of June -and is preferred to become a member of the LaLiga club.
If Real can land Real captain of Reds, this would end a 21-year association with his boys' club for whom he will make his 350th performance against Everton on 2 April, live on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports News has been told that, although there is optimism on both sides, there is still a lot to be sorted and there is no guarantee that he will be a Real Madrid player next season.
The Spanish giants have been for long-term admirers of Alexander-Arnold and are working on a package to seduce him for almost two years.
With his current deal in Anfield, who is expired this summer, the defender has rejected the chance of a long and improved contract to stay in the northwest and has made it clear that he wants to leave.
When Alexander-Arnold moves to the Spanish capital, he becomes the second English international in Real Madrid, next to Jude Bellingham.
According to the current transfer rules, Real – and any other overseas club that wants to approach him – are free to openly negotiate with Alexander -Arnold since January.
Although a potential buyer is obliged to keep Liverpool informed and to tell whether an agreement has been reached, it has not really done so.
However, he is the primary target of the club and it is clear that his preference is to participate in the Carlo Ancelotti team.
But negotiations are complex – even more made by the fact that he is a free agent, with the issues of registration costs, image rights, performance bonuses and more that must be tackled.
Earlier this season, the right back broke the Premier League record for most assists of a defender after scoring his 60th and 61st goals for a teammate in the 3-3 draw of Liverpool in Newcastle, where teammate Andy Robertson was defeated in the trial.
When he leaves, he will do this after he has won all the top continental and domestic awards in Anfield, in which he lifts the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Plus the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Carra: Low Move way would influence Liverpool's inheritance
Alexander-Arnold becomes the third graduate Liverpool Academy to continue to the Spanish capital if a movement will come out, in the footsteps of Steve McManaman and Michael Owen.
Jamie Carragher, who also came through the Academy in Melwood before he made 737 performances for the Reds as a man with one club, has warned the defender that every deal can influence his inheritance on Anfield – despite the part he played in their recent success.
“It's more than a football decision,” he told Sky Sports earlier this season. “It's about his legacy in Liverpool and how he is seen. Do you want to be seen [Steven] Gerrard or [Steve] McManaman?
“He went to Real Madrid and won cups, but he is not worshiped.
“If local player has been there for 20 years. I don't think it would be fun to have the feeling of leaving freely. I guarantee that Liverpool supporters will feel that way.
'Things are expected of you as a local player. I think Liverpool is difficult as a local player.
“I wanted to leave the right way so that they remembered me in the right way.
“If he stays, he will be remembered as one of the best to play for the club and not far behind Gerrard.”
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