Liverpool reject Real Madrid approach for Trent Alexander-Arnold - but European champions expect defender to sign pre-contract in January

The Athletic claim Real are growing increasingly confident that Alexander-Arnold will sign a pre-contract agreement in January, with his Liverpool deal set to expire in the summer. Per the report, a four-year contract and a massive signing-on fee has been promised to the England international. Meanwhile, Paul Joyce of The Times reports that an offer has been lodged from the Spanish club to buy Alexander-Arnold in January but that has been emphatically rejected by the Premier League leaders.

Liverpool remain hopeful that he will decide to stay, and rebuffed a claim that he has already agreed to move to Spain. The Reds also maintain he has not discussed a deal with another club, but Spanish media reports claim discussions have taken place between Alexander-Arnold's camp and Real.

Liverpool may well be anxious over the futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, too, as their contracts expire in the summer. Salah has claimed he has yet to make progress in his discussions with Liverpool over committing his future.

Liverpool do not have long to convince Alexander-Arnold to stay as, from January 1, Real can legally discuss a move with the player.