Liverpool are close to agreeing a new contract with full-back Conor Bradley to remain with the club long-term, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Right now a lot of focus is on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future beyond his Liverpool contract which expires this summer.
Alexander-Arnold has chosen to join Real Madrid, a bitter blow for Richard Hughes and his team who did everything they could to keep the homegrown full-back at Anfield.
There’s obviously not too many positives to take from Arne Slot losing one of his best players, however, opportunities will now be afforded for other Liverpool talents.
And it now seems as if Bradley might benefit from Alexander-Arnold’s impending departure in more ways than one.
Liverpool closing in on new contract for Conor Bradley
Liverpool have been discussing fresh terms for Bradley and they are now close to agreeing a new five-year deal for the Northern Ireland star.
The Reds have been engaged in talks with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk – and the duo are seen as their priority heading into the summer.
However, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm that a new deal for Bradley is now close.
Liverpool have told Bradley that they will be adding to their right-back options with Alexander-Arnold leaving but the defender has been assured that his role in the squad will be advanced no matter what signings are made.
Talks with Bradley’s camp have accelerated in recent weeks, and unlike with some of his more established teammates, discussions have gone well.
Luis Diaz wants to be offered a new contract by Liverpool as soon as possible, otherwise he may too end up following a similar path to Alexander-Arnold.
But in Bradley’s case, the defender will enjoy more first-team opportunities next season, and he will do so with a hugely increased salary.
Arne Slot sees a bright future for Conor Bradley at Anfield
Incidentally, Slot praised Bradley profusely after a 2-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League towards the end of last year.
Bradley nullified Kylian Mbappe at Anfield and Slot called the youngster ‘outstanding’ along with other academy graduates Caoimhin Kelleher and Curtis Jones.
Starting with Bradley’s performance at his press conference, Slot said: “I think it’s nice for him, nice for his family, nice for us but it’s also very nice for the academy, that a player that comes through the ranks at the academy does so well.
“And not only him – Caoimhin was outstanding today, Curtis [Jones] was outstanding today.
“Probably all of them were outstanding but to have three academy players in your team doing so well is also a big compliment for the academy this club has, and Conor did very well.
“But I’m totally not surprised by him doing so well because he showed this already last season and showed this in this season in training sessions and in games as well.
“So, very nice for him.”
A superb young talent, and one who will now get the chance to prove that he belongs in Slot’s XI.
