Liverpool have rejected an attempt by Real Madrid to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in January.
The Spanish giants have made their choice for the Reds defender as they look to land him in the January transfer window. But the Merseysiders are not interested in selling the player who is out of contract this summer.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, has given Liverpool no indication he wants to join Real, despite reports in Spain suggesting he has given Los Blancos the sign he is ready to move there.
The right back has been in discussions with his youth club for several months about a new contract at Anfield. Hopes remain that he will extend his stay on Merseyside rather than move to Madrid.
But Real are now increasing their interest in the England international. They want to sign him now and are willing to pay a fee to get him sooner. This is an attempt to lure him away from Anfield and get ahead of other clubs who could try to poach him if he fails to reach a deal.
Alexander-Arnold will be allowed to speak to foreign clubs from New Year's Day and sign a pre-contractual agreement to move in the summer. The compensation Real is willing to offer is not yet known and it remains unclear whether the La Liga champions will come up with a different approach.
Real are also keen to land Alexander-Arnold this month after their star right-back Dani Carvajal suffered an ACL knee injury in October, ending his season prematurely.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been impressed by the way Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk have not been distracted by their ongoing contract talks.
All three are out of contract this summer, but all have contributed to the Reds' stunning season to date, with Slot's side now title favorites in the Premier League and heading to the Champions League with a Carabao semi-final Cup on the horizon.
But this is the first real test of the three players' resolve with a club bid to sign them before the end of the season.
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