Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, declined to comment on the team’s interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold, a defender for Liverpool.
When the Champions League holders first inquired about the England right-back’s availability a few days ago, they were turned down.
The 26-year-old’s contract expires in the summer, and Liverpool is determined to hold onto him. A purported second approach from the Spanish team, supported by a firm cash offer of around £20 million, is unlikely to change their mind.
“It is difficult for me to talk about that in this context,” Ancelotti said at a press conference when questioned about January signings. However, we will have to wait and find out.
“I have nothing more to say; we are focused on all of these January games and the match against Valencia tomorrow. Right now, it would be foolish of me to discuss the market.
“I won’t talk about it because this isn’t the place to talk about it right now.
“I have a fantastic team, but we’ll see what happens. We have issues and injuries related to that, but we can also go past them.
It is believed that when Madrid initially contacted them, they were informed that there was no desire to sell Alexander-Arnold and that there was no plan to talk about the situation further because Liverpool was solely focused on winning the Premier League and the Champions League, two competitions in which they currently lead the table.
Even though there will undoubtedly be more rumors during the January transfer window due to the player’s newfound freedom to sign a pre-contract agreement, that position will not alter.
Liverpool is actually still trying to work out a deal that would retain the academy graduate on the team.
Dialogue with the player and his representatives – his brother Tyler looks after his interests – over a new contract has been ongoing for several months and the club have been given no indication Alexander-Arnold would like to leave.
In recent months, teammates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah—both of whom have summer contracts—have opened up about their personal lives, but Alexander-Arnold has been quiet.
“I have been at the club for 20 years and I have signed four or five contract extensions,” he stated in response to a question regarding his future last month. and none of those have been publicly performed. Neither will this one.
That won’t, however, stop Madrid from intensifying their charm offensive or the lingering rumors.
Despite Real Madrid’s unsuccessful attempt to recruit Trent Alexander-Arnold this week, Arne Slot maintains that he is still “fully committed” to Liverpool.
Although the Liverpool manager tried to steer clear of inquiries regarding the England defender’s future during a press conference on Friday morning, he did disclose that Alexander-Arnold will start against Manchester United on Sunday.
When Alexander-Arnold’s current Liverpool contract expires in July, Champions League winners Real Madrid hope to sign him on a free transfer. However, Liverpool rejected their January approach on New Year’s Eve.
According to reports from several Spanish media outlets, the offer that was turned down was around £20 million.
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are all nearing the end of their current contracts, so Alexander-Arnold is not the only important Reds player whose contract is set to expire in the summer.
Following the announcement of Real Madrid’s proposal for the 26-year-old, Slot was questioned on if he had spoken to Alexander-Arnold.
“I talk to every player once in a while,” the Dutchman retorted. Yes, I did speak with Trent because that is the same for him.
“I won’t tell him about my conversation. Over the past six months, there have been linkages pertaining to our players. He is totally dedicated to us.
After everyone witnessed how fantastic his first half of the season was, Slot continued, “I can tell you that he will play on Sunday and hopefully he brings the same performance as for the last half year.”
We all seen the pass he made to Mo during his fantastic performance against West Ham. I see him work his ass off every day on the training field.
“We would really have a problem if it would destabilize players at Liverpool if other people talked about them, because if you play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, everyone is talking about you.”
“Every player has room for improvement,” Alexander-Arnold said in response to a question about whether he could still get better. I believe Trent can yet get better.
“I believe I’ve already noticed progress this season. This season, he has improved defensively. He excelled in some games.
The England right-back has told the Reds that he has made up his mind to join La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, according to a front page story published by Spanish media site Marca last weekend.
Slot also disclosed on Friday that Joe Gomez, a defender, will miss many weeks due to an injury he sustained during the team’s 5-0 victory over West Ham on December 29.
Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate have both been sidelined with injuries but were due to train with the squad on Friday.
