Trent Alexander-Arnold 'interested' in Real Madrid move as Liverpool exit gathers pace

Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly interested in a move to Real Madrid this summer. With negotiations intensifying and the right-back entering the final year of his contract with Liverpool, new Reds manager Arne Slot is likely to suffer a major blow early in his tenure.

Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool have yet to agree a contract extension, with the club potentially being without the 25-year-old for free next year if they fail to cash in on his services in the coming weeks and are allowed to extend his current deal.

Sensing an opportunity, Real Madrid have reportedly been in talks with Alexander-Arnold's camp for the past month. According to Bild, the Liverpool star is “interested” in a move to the Bernabeu.

One of Alexander-Arnold's closest friends in the England squad, Jude Bellingham, has been earning a living with Los Blancos since last summer. A move to the Spanish capital would also allow the Liverpool academy product to link up with star striker Kylian Mbappe.

Slot is keen not to lose Alexander-Arnold in his first summer in charge. The full-back, who can also play in midfield, has made over 300 appearances and scored 19 goals since breaking into the Reds' first team as a teenager.

Real Madrid's interest in Alexander-Arnold is coming to fruition and is putting additional pressure on Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes to reach an agreement on a new deal for the defender.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will also be free agents in the summer of 2025, unless extensions are put in place. The Reds are yet to make any senior signings this summer as Slot moves to Anfield.

Losing Alexander-Arnold to the reigning Spanish champions would be a miserable way to revive their activity this window. Liverpool's coveted full-back endured a difficult campaign at Euro 2024, with England beaten in the final by Spain.

Alexander-Arnold started the group games against Serbia and Denmark in central midfield before being relegated to the bench. Conor Gallagher initially took his place before Kobbie Mainoo took over for the run-up to Berlin.

The winning penalty in the quarter-final against Switzerland was Alexander-Arnold's last act of the tournament. It remains to be seen whether Real will have the funds to tempt Liverpool, given that the lucrative deals for Endrick and Kylian Mbappe were agreed in the summer.

Slot and the Reds have just over a month to go before they begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to promoted Ipswich Town.