Liverpool manager breaks silence on star defender’s links to Real Madrid | OneFootball

As has been reported this week, Real Madrid have made Liverpool mainstay Trent Alexander-Arnold their priority target for the summer of 2025.

The 26-year-old right-back is in the final year of his contract with the Premier League bigwigs and is yet to agree to a new deal.

It has left the door open for clubs like Real Madrid, as well as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, to explore the possibility of signing the England international on a free transfer in 2025.

Arne Slot talks Real Madrid’s interest in Alexander-Arnold

Real Madrid have held a long-standing interest in Alexander-Arnold and their pursuit of the right-back, as a long-term successor for Dani Carvajal, is no hidden secret.

As such, Liverpool manager Arne Slot, during an interaction with the media, addressed the links between Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid head-on, stating that it is only natural for the best players to attract interest from the top clubs.

“Well, our players are used to being linked with all the top clubs on a daily basis,” said the Dutch tactician, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

Alexander-Arnold’s contract expires in 2025. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

However, Slot insisted that the rumours do not affect Alexander-Arnold’s performances for Liverpool in any way, saying:

“If you think they’re disturbed by these interests, then I think you don’t do justice to how used they are to this.”

Continuing, he added: “You just focus on what you have to do. Maybe if you’re 17 or 18 years of age, that could be difficult for you. But Trent has won the league, has won the Champions League, Virgil van Dijk and Salah are the same.”

Slot, earlier in the week, was tight-lipped about the Real Madrid target’s contract negotiations, though, stating that he cannot say anything about it at this point.

“No. I can’t tell you anything about that,” he said.

Upon again being asked what’s happening with the full-back’s contract, he noted, “Same question, same answer, there will always be talks and it is normal that you asked.”