Real Madrid is reported to have been confident of signing Trent Alexander-Arnold ever since it made informal contact with the player's camp in November.

As things stand, Alexander-Arnold will be available as a free agent from July 1, and the 26-year-old has been free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs since New Year's Day.

Speculation around his future has intensified in recent days, and that started with Madrid-based sports daily Marca running with a front page which said: 'Alexander-Arnold: Quiere Venir Al Madrid (Wants to sign for Madrid)'.

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Alexander-Arnold appeared to respond to the gossip which followed that front page with his goal celebration against West Ham, as he made a talking gesture to his ear with his right hand.

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Then, on New Year's Eve, it emerged that Liverpool had rebuffed an approach from Madrid to sign the defender during the January transfer window.

No figures are said to have been discussed between the two clubs, but The Telegraph reports that Madrid is willing to pay $25million to sign him before the end of the season.

The Athletic says that its sources in Spain are saying that Madrid believes Alexander-Arnold has been leaning towards a move to the Bernabeu over the last couple of months.

The same sources say that Madrid is confident that Alexander-Arnold will end up signing a pre-contract agreement in January, with a deal of at least four years in length set to be tabled and a significant signing-on bonus guaranteed to be offered.

It seems unlikely that Liverpool will sanction Alexander-Arnold's exit in January, but were the club to do so, the player would no doubt go straight into the Madrid team, with current first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal out for the season due to a serious knee injury.