Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ‘move to Real Madrid is almost complete’, claims bombshell report in Spain – with Liverpool star ‘ignoring offers to stay at Anfield’ amid contract standoff

Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly inching closer to the Bernabeu, as the Liverpool right-back continues to ignore contract offers to push a move to Real Madrid. 

The defender has been at the Reds since 2004, breaking into the first team in 2016 and quickly becoming a fan favourite with his pinpoint crosses and dangerous set pieces.

Since then, Alexander-Arnold has won the lot, lifting the Champions League trophy in 2019 and the Premier League title a year later, as well as picking up an FA Cup and two League Cups.

He looked likely to be kissing more silverware at Anfield later this season with Liverpool making a remarkable start under new boss Arne Slot, finding themselves six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

But the 26-year-old has been heading closer to the door in recent weeks with contract negotiations stagnating and Real circling for the star.

Now a bombshell report in Spain by AS has revealed that Alexander-Arnold’s move away from his boyhood club is almost over the line. 

The defender has won the lot at the Anfield club, including the Champions League in 2019

He has also started to break into the England side after regularly being frozen out in the past

The publication says: ‘Alexander-Arnold has one foot in Real Madrid. Trent continues to ignore Liverpool’s offers to renew and answer Madrid’s calls… that yes, he wants to go to the Bernabeu. That he has no doubts. 

‘And optimism is growing. Everything is agreed, pending the signature (with which the way will be clear from January 1). Countdown.’

The report suggests Real’s urgency to sign the star has ramped up in recent weeks in light of Dani Carvjal’s injury woes and age – he turns 33 next month – and Lucas Vazquez’s unconvincing performances filling in at full-back.

Alexander-Arnold is first choice, with Tottenham’s Pedro Porro believed to be a back-up, and the good relationship between the clubs dictated that Los Blancos informed Liverpool in decent time and there were no issues.

Initially, the Reds backed themselves to convince the fan favourite to stay at Anfield but they are thought to be losing the race at the hands of the 15-time Champions League winners.

AS also draw attention to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, section three, article 18, which states: ‘A club that wishes to enter into a contract with a player must communicate its intention in writing to the player’s club before beginning negotiations. 

‘The professional will be free to sign if his current contract expires within a maximum period of six months.’

The only thing missing now is Alexander-Arnold’s signature, which can be given on January 1, but this is likely to be a formality, the report suggests.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now hopeful they can secure the signing of the right back in January

Marca on Saturday suggested that Alexander-Arnold had told the Reds he wanted to leave

It has been reported that the Englishman will leave in the summer not in January out of respect

The right-back will, however, choose to delay his move until the summer out of respect for his boyhood side, a decision Real are thought to respect. 

The latest stride forward in negotiations comes after Alexander-Arnold reportedly informed Liverpool that he wants to leave the club to join the Spanish giants, according to Marca‘s front page this Saturday.

The report claims that Real are prepared to discuss terms when the transfer window opens, but notes that the Reds would rather he left as a free agent in the summer than for a fee next month.

The opportunity to play alongside close friend and England team-mate Jude Bellingham is also said to serve as an incentive for Alexander-Arnold to make the move. 

Indeed, Mail Sport reported on Saturday evening that Real have been growing increasingly convinced they can win the race to capture his prized signature and hope he will join them on a free transfer next summer.

Sources close to Liverpool insist no agreement has been reached. And it is understood the player’s only contacts over his future to this date have been with Liverpool. 

But those in the Spanish capital are adamant Alexander-Arnold wants a new challenge under Carlo Ancelotti and are already preparing to integrate the England international into their team of Galacticos.

It has been a highly-pressurised situation for Liverpool, who are potentially going to lose a £80million asset for nothing. 

The 26-year-old is set to become a free agent when his deal expires at the end of the season

Alexander-Arnold has consistently been linked with a move to Ancelotti’s side this season – and is close with Jude Bellingham

He has registered four Premier League assists this season as Arne Slot’s side have stormed to the top of the table

The only way they would be able to get a fee for Alexander-Arnold is by selling him in the forthcoming transfer window but the prospects of that happening are almost non-existent. 

Real do, though, see the prolonged contract talks as a chance to get him for free.

Liverpool will continue to try to tie down their vice-captain to a new deal and until a pre-contract agreement with another club is signed – which is not a definite – they will still strive to do so.

Alexander-Arnold has certainly not given Real his word – and remains focused on this season with the club of his heart – but all the noises from Spain is that the club are growing in belief they can tempt him to jump ship if he decides to leave Liverpool.

Last weekend Jamie Carragher claimed Alexander-Arnold’s legacy at Anfield could be damaged if he elects to leave the club on a free. 

‘If he stays at the club. He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play for the football club, and not far behind Steven Gerrard,’ Carragher said.

‘If he doesn’t, he won’t be remembered like that. Now, if he doesn’t care about that, that’s fine, but I’m only telling you what Liverpool supporters [think].’

He continued: ‘If I was advising Trent, I would say, it’s not just leaving. I think people understand it with Real Madrid.’

Arne Slot has led his side to 22 wins, three draws and one loss in his first 26 games in charge

Mohamed Salah has been in exceptional form of late and his contract is also up in the summer

Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, will be free to talk to other clubs from January as his deal nears end

‘A lot of it is the free transfer. That’s a lot of anything. It’s that fear of not you leaving us, [but] “Where’s our money to replace you?” 

‘You might not agree with that, but it’s just a fact. 

‘I would say, “Sign a contract. Have a decent buyout clause in there that’s not ridiculous. And if Real Madrid want to buy you in 12 months…”‘

The Premier League leaders also have the unsolved contract dilemmas of captain Virgil van Dijk and star man Mohamed Salah – and the Reds are working relentlessly to get new deals over the line, with constant discussions ongoing between club and relevant parties in both situations.