Real Madrid's ridiculous offer to Liverpool for Alexander-Arnold

There will be an effort to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold (26 years old) immediately, but not at any price. Real Madrid are still testing Liverpool to see how to approach the arrival of the English full-back in this winter market, but with a very moderate expenditure in mind. The first informal proposal from Chamartín, of 10 million euros, did not generate the slightest enthusiasm at Anfield. According to the Daily Telegraph yesterday, Liverpool are hoping for much more, to shoot up the transfer fee to 25M€.

An amount that, according to AS, Madrid is not willing to assume. In this negotiating game, with Alexander-Arnold's 'yes' and his ability to negotiate openly with the club he wants to leave for free in June, the white club feels it has the weight to tip the balance in its favour. Therefore, the intention is to improve the offer to please Liverpool, but up to a limit of 15 million euros.

If it is not for that price or one very close but with advantageous conditions for Madrid, the white club is determined to wait until the summer. Alexander-Arnold is seen as an important piece to add to the final stretch of this demanding season, but not essential. Lucas Vázquez and the emergency twos, Valverde and Asencio (who has recently been tested in that role), offer a certain margin of maneuver in the eyes of the club so as not to have to activate the panic button.

Madrid is also strategically confident that the days will play in their favor and that it will be Liverpool itself that feels the pressure as February 3 approaches, the deadline for winter transfers in both the Premier League and La Liga. Madrid has until February 6 to be able to register him for the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Even if Alexander-Arnold were signed earlier, under Articles 30-32 of the regulations, UEFA would not allow the English international to be in the line-up for Madrid in the remaining matches of this league phase, so he would not be available against Salzburg (22 January) or Brest (29-D). There is time to manoeuvre...

It is hot. Liverpool, for its part, is beginning to feel the heat of the Alexander-Arnold case. Every piece of news and every gesture by the wing-back himself is analysed and scrutinised in the English club's world as a matter of almost dramatic relevance.

The news published by The Times last Tuesday of a first offer from Real Madrid shook up Liverpool's end of the year, which has been accumulating a few days of relaxation until returning to competition on Sunday, against Manchester United at Anfield (5:30 p.m.). A factor of potential destabilisation in a season that is going well for Arne Slot's team in England and Europe.

And a slap in the face to the optimism that Alexander-Arnold's gesture generated among the Liverpool faithful after his goal against West Ham last Sunday. A hand to his ear as if indicating "chatter", which was interpreted as a message to the media and the rivers of ink that his future generates. Ignoring the downside of the coin, which is that Liverpool's number 66 usually makes celebrations in a similar controversial style, ordering people to shut up or addressing the stands.

Second session for Alaba

For Madrid, signing Alexander-Arnold immediately would not be problematic in any way. He has free slots in both the League and the Champions League, because since the summer he has only 22 registered players, including Carvajal and Militao. No move would have to be made to open a gap, not even in financial fair play. And the bridgehead to integrate the full-back is ready. His name is Bellingham.

Jude and Trent have been close friends for four years in the English national team, and the Ancelottis (Carlo and Davide) are used to dealing with British players from their time at Chelsea and Everton. Alexander-Arnold fits Madrid like a glove and for now, but not at any price...