The amount Real Madrid are willing to pay for Trent Alexander-Arnold… and it’s less than you think
Real Madrid have set a cap on the price they are willing to pay for Trent Alexander-Arnold in January.
The European champions have already had an initial request from Liverpool for the right-back rejected, but they are expected to return during the remainder of the transfer window to lure him away from Anfield.
Leading Spanish daily AS, which is closely linked to the club, suggests Madrid will spend up to €15m (£12.4m). However, if that offer is also rejected, they will wait until the summer until the England international will be available on a free transfer.
It is extremely unlikely that this figure will convince Liverpool to part ways with Alexander-Arnold, as Alexander-Arnold is important for a team that is still challenging on four fronts this season – the Premier League, the FA Cup , the EFL Cup and the Champions League.
Should the player remain on Merseyside beyond January, the club will also have more time to discuss a contract extension, although the smart money continues to expect Alexander-Arnold to move to Madrid at the end of the season.
Three departures could unsettle Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold is not the only Liverpool player whose contract expires in June. Both Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk are yet to agree new contracts, meaning all three could leave in the summer.
Uncertainty over the future of the influential trio threatens to overshadow new coach Arne Slot’s hugely impressive start to date at Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold said in December that contract negotiations would not take place publicly.
“I’ve been at the club for 20 years now,” he said. “I’ve signed four or five contract extensions and none of them have been made public – and this one won’t be either.”
Liverpool have FOUR!
Trent Alexander-Arnold scores from distance and the ball deflects off Max Kilman and lands in the goal 💫 pic.twitter.com/D5jeJeYMhL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
Slot happy with Alexander-Arnold
But after the 26-year-old scored in Liverpool’s 5-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, he celebrated with a chirping hand gesture, apparently in reference to the intense speculation about his future.
Asked about the celebration, Slot said: “No, I don’t think it’s negative at all. He’s playing really well, scored a great goal and the way he celebrated his goal probably says enough. I don’t think I need to say much more about it.
“I’m really happy with Trent, as happy as I was with Mo (Salah) and Virgil. So for me there is no difference.
“To the outside world there may be a little more going on in the media surrounding Trent than the other two, but for now I’m happy with all three.”
