Liverpool have rejected a takeover for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid.
There was no formal offer, but an approach was made from the Spanish side.
Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and according to reports in Spain, the 26-year-old has told Liverpool he wants to play for Madrid.
Real are now free to talk directly to Alexander-Arnold about a provisional contract.
But it appears Liverpool have no interest in losing the player as he fights for the Premier League title.
Three of their core players – constructors from the glory days under Jurgen Klopp – are out of commission this summer and yet they have remained virtually faultless in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all in talks over new deals, with all three out of contract in the summer.
Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports in December: “I've been at the club for 20 years now, I've signed four or five contract extensions and none of them have played out in public – and this one won't be either.” .”
Carragher: Alexander-Arnold's decision is different from Salah's or Van Dijk's
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher believes Alexander-Arnold's close ties with Liverpool could complicate Real Madrid's move for the England international.
“I don't necessarily think he's gone, but I do think it's a different situation than the other guys.
“He clearly has a big decision to make. I really want him to sign [a new deal]. He's a local player, I love seeing local players, whether at Liverpool or Everton, really flourish. He is one of the greatest local players we have ever had from the city.
“I think the way Liverpool are playing now and what they could do in the future looks very exciting. I'm desperate to sign him. I hope he's the same.”
“I really believe that Real Madrid and Barcelona have the appeal of players from all over the world. I think it is a dream for probably 90 percent of players around the world to play or play at their final destination Real Madrid or Barcelona end.”
“You see Mbappé and you see that with every player who is perhaps called the best player in the world. Somehow they end up playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona.”
“I think the fact that Trent and he play for his local club makes it something different. Otherwise if Trent played for Chelsea or Arsenal he wasn't a London boy. I don't think there would be an injury involved. ” ask him if he would take that step.
“I think the fact that he would leave his club has been that way since he was five or six years old. I think it makes more of a decision than just Real Madrid. Like I said, nine times out of ten If Real Madrid wants to sign a player and that player wants to leave, that normally happens.”
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