Liverpool reject Real Madrid approach to buy Trent Alexander-Arnold in January

Liverpool turned down move for full back before finances discussed

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Liverpool against Federico Valverde of Real Madrid during the Champions League round of 16, second leg at the Bernabeu in March 2023. Photograph: Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Liverpool against Federico Valverde of Real Madrid during the Champions League round of 16, second leg at the Bernabeu in March 2023. Photograph: Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Liverpool have rejected Real Madrid’s attempt to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in the January window.

The defender, 26, will be out of contract in the summer, and is free under regulations to sign a pre-contract deal for next season from New Year’s Day. Madrid have long been linked as his eventual destination but an attempt to pre-empt that process has fallen flat, with Liverpool rejecting the move.

Madrid’s approach for Alexander-Arnold was rebuffed before any financial package for buying out the remainder of his contract could be offered.

Liverpool’s executives continue to be in negotiation with Alexander-Arnold’s advisers and family, with little indication, public or otherwise, that he would like to leave his boyhood club.

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The Alexander-Arnold situation continues to be without a long-term solution while the club are also still to reach agreements to extend the contracts of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

At the weekend, Arne Slot distanced himself from the negotiations, with the manager saying: “I think I have a lot of control over what they do if they are on the training pitch or in a meeting with me. But if you’re talking about their private life I don’t have control. I have control over what I expect from them on the pitch and I’m really pleased to see what Trent, Mo [Salah] and Virgil [van Dijk] bring on the pitch.” – Guardian