Carlo Ancelotti drops Real Madrid transfer hint amid Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool uncertainty

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was coy with his response to a question about potential transfer business as Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Liverpool vice-captain has been tentatively linked with a move to the La Liga giants amid speculation around his Anfield future.

Alexander-Arnold's contract at Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the season. However, it remains to be seen if he will sign an extension.

As things stand, Alexander-Arnold would be able to negotiate with Madrid or other clubs outside England in the New Year when he enters the final six months of his contract. Liverpool are understood to be keen to keep the 26-year-old at Anfield, but that is not stopping speculation that the opposite could happen at the end of the season.

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Madrid have been tentatively linked with signing Alexander-Arnold in 2025, with some suggestions that the Spanish giants could even make a move in January. The injury situation at the Santiago Bernabeu has led to intense rumours that the club may look to strengthen their defence in the New Year.

Saturday saw Madrid claim a 4-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga, but the game also saw two players added to the injury list. Eder Militao (knee) and Rodrygo (muscle) were both withdrawn in the first half, adding to the number of players in the treatment room.

Militao is reported to have suffered an ACL injury, which would leave him on the sidelines for several months. The extent of Rodrygo's injury is yet to be determined, but the duo are not the only players unavailable for Madrid.

Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Aurelien Tchouameni and Thibaut Courtois are all unavailable due to injury. The absences of Carvajal, Alaba and Militao leave Ancelotti with fewer options at full-back, which has led to speculation that a move for Alexander-Arnold is increasingly likely.

Ancelotti was asked about the possibility of Madrid going into the transfer market in January in response to the recent injury woes.

"We'll assess it in the coming months," Ancelotti told ESPN. "Right now, there's nothing we can do. We'll evaluate what we can do in January."

Alexander-Arnold may have suffered an injury of his own on Saturday during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa. The right-back was replaced by Conor Bradley in the first half with a potential muscle injury, although no timeframe has been given for how much gametime, if any, the Reds vice-captain will miss.