Real Madrid reportedly believe signing Trent Alexander-Arnold during the winter transfer window is still an option, according to the latest reports in Spain. Liverpool rejected an approach from the Spanish club on New Year's Eve to sign the team's vice-captain.

They were reputedly willing to pay around £20 million to make a deal happen, but the Reds rebuffed any attempts to negotiate numbers. Almost a fortnight later, it appears no further official moves have materialised. Madrid can now talk directly with the player to discuss a pre-contract agreement rather than necessarily needing to approach his parent club first.

Speculation in Madrid is still continuous, though, with the club yet to replace injured right-back Dani Carvajal. That noise will only increase after Barcelona thrashed them 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.

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Fichajes claims that the damaging defeat has hastened their summer transfer window plans. They are said to have three key targets, one of whom is Alexander-Arnold.

The others are Bournemouth central defender Dean Huijsen, a Dutch-born Spain under-21 international, and former Liverpool transfer target Martin Zubimendi. Initial moves are reputedly underway regarding those two, but the perhaps predictable suggestion is that a deal to sign Alexander-Arnold is close to completion.

Marca, however, reports that signing the England international before becoming a free agent is still an option for Madrid. They claim the club still has hope of doing a deal this month.

It comes after Cadena SER stated last week that it would take something unexpected for Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool. The Reds hypothetically signing a replacement this month would seemingly satisfy that billing, but the station acknowledged that it would be exceedingly complicated to do before the window closed.

However, Alexander-Arnold has already clarified his stance on the prospect of any midseason move. During an interview in September, the player said: "I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum]."

The ECHO reported in December that Liverpool are intent to see out the campaign as a minimum with the influential full-back in their ranks as they target Premier League glory under Arne Slot.