Real Madrid make Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer preference crystal clear

Real Madrid are eager to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, but only on a free transfer.

Alexander-Arnold will become a free agent in the summer and could begin pre-contract talks with clubs in January after failing to agree new terms with the Reds.

The right-back is one of three Liverpool players who, as things stand, can leave on a free transfer. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also in danger of leaving for nothing without news of a breakthrough in contract talks.

Alexander-Arnold came through Liverpool's youth system and has since become one of the most highly rated full-backs in the sport. He played 326 times for his boyhood club and won the Premier League and the Champions League.

According to the Telegraph, Madrid are now keen to sign the 26-year-old but will not attempt to sign him in January. Instead, the report says the LaLiga giants will wait to see if he becomes available on a free transfer in the summer of 2025.

Alexander-Arnold is “hugely admired” at the Bernabeu, it is further said, with the player seen as a potential long-term replacement for long-serving right-back Dani Carvajal – who has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.

Any team hoping to sign the England defender could certainly sign him for a slightly lower fee as his contract expires, but Madrid still plan to wait and see what happens with him in the summer, the report said.

Liverpool seem unlikely to agree to let Alexander-Arnold leave mid-season while they sit top of the table and in contention to win their first Premier League since 2020.

Alexander-Arnold has played a central role in their rise under Arne Slot this season. He has played 12 of 13 Premier League games this season and provided two assists in all competitions.

He has been struggling with a hamstring problem in recent games, which forced him to miss the wins over Southampton and Real Madrid, but returned to the team after the 2-0 win over Manchester City.

Slot said he was managing the player's minutes to ensure he did not suffer a setback in his recovery and that playing 90 minutes at this time would be a challenge for him. He said: “Last weekend against City we didn't think it was smart to let Trent play 90 minutes after his injury. That will probably be the case tomorrow and Saturday.”