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 seen an initial rejection from Liverpool over the right-back, but they are expected to return during the remainder of the transfer window in a bid to prize him away from Anfield.
Leading Spanish newspaper AS, which has close links with the club, suggest Real Madrid will reach €15m (£12.4m), but if that offer is also rejected, they will wait until the summer when the England international becomes available. On free transfer.
It is highly unlikely that this figure will convince Liverpool to part ways with Alexander-Arnold given his importance to a team that remains challenging on four fronts this season – the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League.
If the player remains on Merseyside beyond January, it would also allow the club more time to discuss a contract extension, although the smart money remains on Alexander-Arnold joining Madrid at the end of the season.
The departure of the trio may upset 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 deals, meaning all three could leave in the summer.
Uncertainty over the future of the influential trio has threatened to overshadow new manager Arne Slott's impressive start so far at Liverpool.
Speaking last December, Alexander-Arnold said any contract negotiations would not take place in public.
“I've been at the club for 20 years,” he said. “I've signed four or five contract extensions and none of them have been announced publicly, and this won't be announced either.”
Liverpool have four!
Trent Alexander-Arnold shot it from a long distance and it collided with Max Kilman inside the goal 💫 pic.twitter.com/D5jeJeYMhL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
Happy slot with alexander arnold
However, after scoring in Liverpool's 5-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, the 26-year-old celebrated with a peep with his hand, in an apparent reference to the intense speculation over his future.
Asked about the celebration, Slott said: “No, I don't think it's negative at all. He's playing really well, he scored a great goal, and the way he celebrated his goal probably tells you enough. I don't think I have to say much about that.
“I'm really happy with Trent, just like I'm happy with Mohamed Salah and Virgil. So for me, there's no difference.
“To the outside world, there are probably a little more things going on about Trent in the media than the other two, but I'm happy with all of them at the moment.”
