Real Madrid ‘make contact with Liverpool’ for Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer talks – despite the defender being available on a free next summer as his contract winds down

Real Madrid have informed Liverpool of their desire to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to a report. 

The 25-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season and is free to speak to foreign clubs from January 1, has been heavily linked with a move to the Spanish giants. 

Liverpool remain hopeful that they can convince their vice-captain to sign a new contract. He is one of three stars, along with skipper Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, set to depart for free in the summer. 

Madrid are not obliged to register their interest in Alexander-Arnold but, according to talkSPORT, the 15-time European Cup winners have stated their intention to bring him to the Spanish capital in order to be respectful to the Merseysiders. 

The Englishman got a front row seat for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti‘s side to Anfield in midweek as he makes his comeback from a hamstring injury. The Reds put on a show against the LaLiga side and completed a dominant 2-0 win. 

Madrid, who sit second in the Spanish top-flight, are currently operating without a right back following the ACL injury to Dani Carvajal that will sideline him for the rest of the term. 

Real Madrid are in the market for a new right-back following the injury to veteran Dani Carvajal

Alexander-Arnold enjoys a strong friendship with Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham

The issue is believed to have accelerated the desire of the club to recruit his successor and all indications are that Alexander-Arnold is their preferred choice. 

The defender’s well documented friendship with Jude Bellingham has also led many to conclude that he will be playing his football abroad next season. Bellingham was spotted waiting outside the Liverpool dressing room at full-time in the hopes of swapping shirts with close pal Alexander-Arnold.

Though the full back wasn’t on hand to deliver it himself, his team-mate Ryan Gravenberch provided the assist as he went into the dressing room and returned to give Bellingham the shirt.

Under Arne Slot, Alexander-Arnold has improved defensively and is enjoying an impressive campaign as the Reds sit top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables. 

While Liverpool will be very keen to keep hold of Alexander-Arnold, Slot may already have the perfect replacement in his current squad.

Conor Bradley, 21, started in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Madrid and was later named as the Player of the Match after dominating his personal battle with Kylian Mbappe.

Bradley assisted Alexis Mac Allister for the opening goal and also completed more tackles (four) than any other Liverpool player – one of which was a crunching sliding challenge on Mbappe in the 32nd minute.