Liverpool’s summer plans are beginning to take shape with replacements having to be sought with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid edging closer this week
Liverpool are dominating the headlines at the moment with some of their leading lights edging closer to the exit door. This week the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold has been front and centre with his switch to Real Madrid nearing.
The right-back, who came through the club’s academy, has been allowed to let his deal run down and talk of a move to Spain has been ongoing for months. Now it looks as if a deal is particularly close, which will only add to Liverpool’s issues.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also currently free to leave come the summer with the Egyptian especially talking up his future away from Anfield for much of the season. It comes as Liverpool sit top of the Premier League and on course for the title.
Their impressive season has taken a hit in recent weeks with defeats ending hopes of landing the Champions League and the Carabao Cup. Here’s the latest news from Anfield.
Bournemouth star talks up elite move
Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez has opened the door to a summer switch to Liverpool after admitting he wants to take the next step in his career with an elite club who are capable of challenging for major honours. The Hungarian is one of several players who have really excelled with the Cherries this term.
READ MORE: Arne Slot warned off signing Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement as two targets emergeREAD MORE: Gary Neville and Ian Wright explain why Trent Alexander-Arnold could struggle at Real Madrid
The left-back could yet interest the Reds, who are tipped to make several moves following a summer transfer window where Slot barely bought in any new faces. Dean Huijsen and Antoine Semenyo continue to be linked with a host of top clubs and Kerkez could also have his head turned.
He told The Athletic that joining an elite club was a natural next step: “Yeah. As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams. These are the things that my agent is on. My dad is on. It is not something that they occupy me with because the season is still going, so there’s no point to talk about anything.”
Reds pushed for Trent deal
Liverpool are said to have made several attempts to get Alexander-Arnold to renew his contract and negotiations over a new long-term deal started in October and continued until January. But Anfield bosses are now resigned to the fact that he wants to move to Madrid.
Already the Reds have rejected a bid from the Spanish giants, which was worth just over £20m, and they will now see their academy graduate leave for nothing. The club had appeared relaxed over the contract situations at the start of the season but it became an increasing problem.
Real can talk to Alexander-Arnold about a contract at the Bernabeu given he’s entered the final six months of his deal. There is no official word yet but Los Blancos are tipped to get their man with a huge signing-on bonus set to come the player’s way.
Replacements at right-back identified
Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso is among the players Liverpool are considering to replace Alexander-Arnold – but they could face stern competition from Manchester City for the Italian’s signature if they do make their move in the summer. It looks as if they will all but certainly have a hole to fill at right-back.
Jeremie Frimpong has been linked with the Reds in recent weeks but La Gazzetta dello Sport believes Cambiaso is also a man on the radar at Anfield. It is understood that City came close to signing Cambiaso in January, but a move did not materialise with more interest expected in the summer.
While Juventus would be reluctant to lose Cambiaso, there is an awareness that the Italy international would command a sum of around £50m given he has Premier League suitors.
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