Liverpool told to accept Trent Alexander-Arnold offer in blunt six-word message
Liverpool could do without any distractions as it chases the Premier League title and builds up to playing Manchester United this weekend but Trent Alexander-Arnold is dominating the headlines.
Earlier in the week, it emerged that Real Madrid had seen an approach for the Liverpool number 66 flatly rejected. It wanted to sign Alexander-Arnold now rather than waiting to get him for nothing in the summer.
Now, according to The Times, Real Madrid is willing to pay around $25m (£20m/€24m) to sign Alexander-Arnold and Carlo Ancelotti is still pushing to get a deal over the line despite having been turned down once. Having seen one attempt to accelerate a transfer fail, the Spanish outfit is said to want to have a second go at convincing Liverpool to cash in.
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"Take the £20m Liverpool," Richard Keys posted on social media. "TAA is going. End the saga." And he won't be the only one who thinks it wouldn't be the worst idea to take the money if Alexander-Arnold is going to leave for nothing.
But there is still a chance for Liverpool to tie down one of its star players beyond the end of the season if Real Madrid can be staved off. And really, $25m is not going to do much for the Reds in terms of sourcing a replacement anyway.
If a player was out there who Liverpool really wanted, the money would not be an issue with getting a deal done. Whatever Real Madrid could offer now would not really, in the grand scheme of things, make any difference.
What might make a difference in the Premier League title race or as the Champions League hots up in the knockout phase, though, is having Alexander-Arnold on the pitch. He remains a unique soccer player and his skillset is hugely advantageous.
That is why Real Madrid is so desperate to get him. But it is also why there is no reason for Liverpool to let the player go this month even if it ends up losing him for nothing.
