Liverpool still want a huge fee to let Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid this month, despite the Spanish giants wrapping up a deal for him already.
That’s according to journalist Josep Pederol on El Chiringuito, who reports Real Madrid have already wrapped up a deal for the right-back.
Alexander-Arnold is set to be a free agent in the summer when his current contract expires. Liverpool have tried unsuccessfully to renew that deal, and, in the meantime, Real Madrid have swooped.
They’re keen on the right as the long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal and all indications are the defender will leave his boyhood club to head to the Spanish capital.
Numerous reports from England and Spain have indicated that Real Madrid would like to do business this month, though.
They’ve set limits on that, given he’s available on a free in a few months’ time. That limit has always been around the €20m mark.
Liverpool have resisted their approaches thus far, instead demanding a higher fee to let a key player leave midway through a Premier League title campaign.
Pederol now reports that remains the case, even with the knowledge Real Madrid have wrapped up a free transfer for the summer anyway.
“Arnold has already closed a deal with Real Madrid to join in the month of June. There are still small nuances, but Arnold, if nothing happens, will play in Real Madrid next season,” he said.
“There is a possibility, and it is that Liverpool lowers the pretensions. That the figure that Liverpool puts is less than €30-35m. Which seems very difficult because Liverpool is fighting for everything.
“It is very complicated, but Madrid won’t spend €70-80m, which is a figure that Liverpool will lower.
“But Real Madrid will try to get some incorporation in the month of January. So that it does not go from €30-40m, maximum that figure.
“Arnold will arrive in the summer at Real Madrid, but he could arrive this month whenever Liverpool lowers the pretensions. To less than €35m, maximum perhaps €40m. So, Arnold, done for June, possibility for January.”
