Liverpool get Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer hint amid Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid admission

Carlo Ancelotti has clarified that Real Madrid are not considering making new signings during the winter transfer window despite their reported interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool vice-captain will be able to negotiate with overseas clubs on 1 January unless he signs a contract extension before the end of this year.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, acknowledged last month that he wants to remain at the club this season, suggesting he will not seek a move before the expiry of his current deal. However, since then, Madrid's starting right-back Dani Carvajal ruptured two ligaments and a tendon in his right knee.

That season-ending injury has led to suggestions they would recruit a replacement. However, Ancelotti has now downplayed the chances of that happening.

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"I have not asked the club for reinforcements," the Madrid coach said during a press conference on Friday, "because last year we already handled the injuries we had well, and the same will happen this season." Ancelotti explained: "If we find an ideal player for Real Madrid, then we don't rule out making a signing, but it is not that simple to find an ideal player.

"We have youth players who can contribute, the return of David Alaba, who will soon be with the team… At the moment, we are not planning on making signings."

Addressing the other replacements for Carvajal in the squad, Ancelotti said: "We have Lucas Vazquez, and we trust him. Then there's Eder Militao. I see him well as a right back, yes."

It should be no surprise that Madrid does not plan to make signings this winter. They have not done business in that month for approaching four years, when Reinier Jesus, who has yet to play for the first team, signed in January 2020.

The 2018 deal with Manchester City to sign Brahim Diaz six months before his contract expired is the most comparable to Alexander-Arnold. He went straight into their senior squad, albeit playing less than a dozen matches across all competitions during the remainder of that season.