Real Madrid are reportedly aiming to complete the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
The 26-year-old confirmed on Monday that he will be leaving Anfield after two decades at his boyhood club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold will end his successful spell at Liverpool having won nine trophies, including two Premier League titles and one Champions League, while the right-back has also contributed to over 100 goals in more than 350 appearances across all competitions.
The England international has made it clear that he wishes to pursue a fresh challenge at this stage of his career and it is widely expected that he will join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
A recent report claims that Alexander-Arnold has already agreed to sign a six-year contract that will to keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until the summer of 2031.
Real Madrid keen to sign TAA before Club World Cup opening fixture
Alexander-Arnold is due to see his current deal at Liverpool run out on June 30, but multiple reports claim that Real Madrid have approached the Reds about signing the defender early so that he can be available to play for Los Blancos at the start of the newly-expanded Club World Cup.
Real Madrid’s opening group-stage game of the tournament held in the United States is scheduled to take place on June 18 against Al-Hilal in Miami, before facing Pachuca on June 22 and Red Bull Salzburg on June 27.
According to Sky Sports News, Los Blancos’s determination to register Alexander-Arnold for the start of the Club World Cup is clear and they are expected to follow up their initial approach for the defender after contacting the Reds shortly after he announced his decision to leave Anfield.
If Liverpool refuse to let Alexander-Arnold leave early, the right-back will miss all three of Real Madrid’s aforementioned group-stage fixtures, but he could still play in the latter stages of the tournament should the Spanish side progress.
Real Madrid consider cash offer to sign Alexander-Arnold early
A separate report from BBC Sport claims that Real Madrid are considering an offer in the region of €1m (£850,000) to release Alexander-Arnold early from his Liverpool deal.
It has also been suggested that Los Blancos might be willing to pay the wages that Liverpool owe the right-back as they seek a solution, and at this stage, discussions between all parties are described as ‘amicable’.
FIFA confirmed earlier this year that there will be a short initial transfer window this summer – running from June 1 to 10 – which is designed for clubs competing at the Club World Cup to amend their squads in time for the tournament.
The governing body has also given teams who progress from the group stage a special in-tournament window between June 27 and July 3 when they can register a maximum of two new players ahead of the knockout rounds.
At this point, the ball now appears to be in Liverpool court over whether to accept a potential cash proposal from Real Madrid or refuse an early exit for Alexander-Arnold and see the defender leave for free at the end of June.
