Trent Alexander-Arnold: A Star in Demand

Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly keeping a close eye on Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the England star’s contract set to expire next summer.

Alexander-Arnold, 25, has established himself as a key player at Anfield since making his debut in 2016. With over 300 appearances for his boyhood club, he has racked up an impressive 81 assists and scored 19 goals.

However, with just a year left on his current deal, the Reds are facing stiff competition from the Spanish giants to secure his services. According to reports, both Real Madrid and Barcelona believe Alexander-Arnold would be open to a move, particularly with Conor Bradley’s rapid progress at Liverpool.

The report suggests that Liverpool are willing to offer Alexander-Arnold a new deal that would significantly increase his current £180,000-a-week wages. However, the club is unwilling to break the bank to keep him.

Alexander-Arnold’s friendship with Jude Bellingham has only added fuel to the speculation, with the pair recently spending time on holiday together in Los Angeles. Michael Owen, a fellow Liverpool academy graduate who made the move to Real Madrid in his mid-20s, has tipped Alexander-Arnold to make the switch to the Bernabeu.

Owen believes that Alexander-Arnold would have a lot to think about if Real Madrid came knocking, citing the Spanish club’s status as the best team in Europe and the world.

As the saga surrounding Alexander-Arnold continues to unfold, new Liverpool boss Arne Slot faces a headache in trying to keep his star defender at Anfield. With Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also entering the final year of their contracts, the Reds’ future looks uncertain.

One thing is certain, however: Trent Alexander-Arnold is a star in demand, and only time will tell where his future lies.