Liverpool emerges from truth bomb delivered by journalist as Real Madrid try to tempt the Reds with €80m star

Liverpool have “zero chance” of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold in the January transfer window, amid claims that Real Madrid have now offered the Reds an €80m star in a swap deal, and with a journalist providing an update on the Reds’ prospects of tying vice-captain to a new deal.

Alexander-Arnold’s future remains a topic of heated conversation, with the 25-year-old out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season and with the player eligible to sign a pre-contract with overseas suitors from January 1st – from now on just 83 days. As one of their most important and influential stars, Liverpool are understandably keen to avoid the scenario of losing their assist machine without any kind of financial reward and are working hard to tie him to a new deal.

However, with Real Madrid making Alexander-Arnold one of their top targets for 2025, speculation has increased that they could bring his potential signing forward to January, having lost Dani Carvajal this season to a serious knee injury.

And in an attempt to persuade the Reds to do business, the Spanish channel TDF reported that Los Blancos have offered Liverpool the chance to sign Aurlien Tchouameni as part of a swap deal.

Journalist James Pearcehowever, he completely ruled out the possibility of Alexander-Arnold leaving for the Santiago Bernabéu in January.

“There is absolutely no chance of Trent (Alexander-Arnold) going anywhere in January,” he said The Athletic’s Walk On Podcast.

“I mean, yesterday I saw some nonsense about Real Madrid planning a bid for him in January or something. I just don’t believe this is true. And I certainly don’t believe that for a minute. (It’s) absolute nonsense.”

Pearce also insists that although a number of top clubs – and Bayern Munich are also linked – continue to monitor the player’s situation closely, he insists that no decision has been made either way by Alexander-Arnold.

“I mean, we have said several times that all the big clubs in Europe will be keeping an eye on developments regarding Trent’s future, because my information at the moment is that there is no decision made. These negotiations are ongoing,” concluded Pearce.

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What did Alexander-Arnold say about Liverpool’s future?

Despite these denials, our sources indicated that Real Madrid directors are in what was described to us as “constant contact” with Alexander-Arnold’s management regarding a potential 2025 transfer.

The player’s affairs are managed by his father, Michael Arnold – himself a long-time Liverpool fan – and whatever his next steps are, he will be sure to have a major influence in deciding his son’s fate and negotiating the best possible deal for him. , whether in Merseyside or Madrid.

The star currently earns a salary of £180,000 a week and we understand the Reds are willing to make Alexander-Arnold the second highest-paid player in their history behind Mo Salah, who currently pockets £350,000 a week.

And although a strong report on Wednesday claimed that the player was “about” to accept a move to Real, Alexander-Arnold himself was very vocal about his desire to stay and made his love and affection for the club clear.

“I have always said that I want to be captain of the club. That’s a goal of mine, if that happens it’s out of my hands,” Alexander-Arnold told the media after a recent win over Bournemouth.

“I want to be a Liverpool player this season (at the earliest), that’s what I’ll say.”

Asked about the conditions that could convince him to sign a new contract, he added: “The most important thing is always the trophies. I want to win trophies.

“We were close to the title last season and won a cup. The (quadruple) lasted a while, I suppose.

“This season we are doing very well, it is still early, but we need a lot of consistency. It will be difficult, but we want to win as many trophies as we can.”

Tchouameni is at risk of leaving Real Madrid / double signing agreement is closed

While a swap deal may seem out of the question, it is not out of the question for Liverpool to try and sign Tchouameni in 2025.

The French midfielder opted to join Real rather than Liverpool in 2025 and has helped the club win a plethora of trophies in that time, including a LaLiga and Champions League double last season.

But after Liverpool lost Martin Zubimendi over the summer – and the Real Sociedad midfielder once again addressed speculation over his future, this time following links to Man City – the Reds are being tipped to make a new move again for French services.

Those hopes have also been fueled amid claims that Carlo Ancelotti now has serious doubts about the 36-times capped French international and that he would be open to his possible sale to Liverpool.

Elsewhere, there is good news on the way for Liverpool when it comes to new contracts, with our sources telling us that a deal is being reached to extend captain Virgil van Dijk’s stay at Anfield.

He has indicated his willingness to stick around and now the Reds hope to announce an extension soon.

This news also follows confirmation this week that Jarell Quansah has signed a new long-term contract at Anfield and that Ibrahima Konate is also set to agree new terms.