The Trent Alexander-Arnold contract situation has seen several twists and turns already but Liverpool are no closer to having an agreement in place with the player. Real Madrid are pushing to take him to the Spanish capital next summer on a free transfer while the Reds continue to try and convince the player to commit his future to his boyhood club. Losing a 26-year-old star at the peak of his career would be a PR disaster for Liverpool hierarchy and they are desperately trying to avoid it.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the greatest success stories of the club’s academy. A Liverpool-born Red who came through the ranks and won everything that is there to be won at club level is the stuff of fairytales. Even a couple of years back no one would have even considered the prospect of him leaving the club but it is now a very real possibility next summer.
Some have wondered why Liverpool have allowed this situation to come to this but we also have to consider there is another party to the saga. The 26-year-old defender has said or done little to suggest that he is nailed down on signing a new deal and staying at Liverpool beyond the end of his current deal.
It is very clear that Real Madrid have turned his head and the prospect of playing for Champions League royalty is a tempting prospect for the defender who has the ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or. Alexander-Arnold has not won the Premier League or the Champions League since turning 22 and it is easy to see why he would want to play for a club who have been lifting the biggest honours regularly.
Has he decided to leave Liverpool? Is his mind made up? Why are Real Madrid looking this confident? Let’s dig in!
Where are we with the Trent Alexander-Arnold contract situation?
As far as we know Liverpool have continued to hold negotiations with Trent Alexander-Arnold and his representatives over a potential new deal. A fresh round of talks was also scheduled for the international break as the Reds keep trying to find a breakthrough in the negotiations.
However, we are also aware that there is still no agreement between the two sides and there are no suggestions that they are anywhere near getting a deal done. If there were a breakthrough in the talks, Liverpool would have leaked the information to calm down the fears of their own supporters but since little has come out, it is safe to assume an agreement is not close to getting agreed upon.
Real Madrid are still in the game and through the Spanish press they have been communicating their confidence that Alexander-Arnold will end up at the Santiago Bernabeu next summer. There is quiet confidence in the Spanish capital about the player not signing a new contract with the Merseyside giants.
Liverpool are insistent that the negotiations are still ongoing and Alexander-Arnold has not made up his mind about leaving Anfield. However, suggestions that the Merseyside giants have offered him a contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the league show that the club are getting desperate.
The next four to six weeks are key for the Merseyside giants
Richard Hughes has been working behind the scenes to resolve the issue but has also been keen to ensure those talks do not drag into 2025. However, the way the negotiations have been moving, it is clear for everyone to see that there is no imminent end in sight.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
If Liverpool reach 1st January without a new deal in place with Alexander-Arnold the power will completely shift to the player. Real Madrid will be free to discuss a pre-contract for a move in the summer from January onwards and the player would be aware how much he could earn at another club without breaking any rules.
Some are theorising that if Alexander-Arnold had to stay he would have signed a new deal by now and Liverpool are aware that the defender is on his way out. However, the club have remained insistent that they are still in talks with the player and his representatives and remain confident of securing his future on a new contract.
However, the longer this saga drags the more confident Real Madrid will grow about seeing Alexander-Arnold in Whites in Spain next season.
