Real Madrid plotting second bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold as Carlo Ancelotti pushes to land Liverpool star in January transfer window

Another transfer window has swung open in Europe, with leading clubs stepping up efforts to bolster their respective ranks early in 2025. La Liga and Champions League title holders Real are eager to bring more big names onto their books at Santiago Bernabeu.

England international Alexander-Arnold is a player they have had in their sights for some time, with the buccaneering right-back seeing his contract at Anfield run down. With no extension agreed as yet, the 26-year-old is free to speak with teams outside of the Premier League.

According to The Times, Real are prepared to part with around £20 million ($25m) in a bid to land Alexander-Arnold at this stage, rather than waiting for him to hit free agency in the summer. Liverpool, though, have made it clear that they have no intention of parting with their home-grown star midway through another quest for multiple major honours in 2024-25.

The Reds remain hopeful that Alexander-Arnold can be coaxed into signing a new deal on Merseyside. There has been talk of the defender wanting to link up with England team-mate Jude Bellingham in Spain, but he has offered no indication – at least in public – that he is readying himself for a new challenge.