REAL MADRID have cheekily asked Liverpool to RELEASE Trent Alexander-Arnold before his contract expires so he can play in the Club World Cup, according to reports.
The lifelong Reds fan is set to end his love affair with the club in the summer upon the expiration of his contract.
A move to Spanish giants Real has been on the cards for several years, although Los Blancos have yet to make a formal offer for the defender.
The Euro titans, however, are said to be keen on adding the England international to their squad as soon as possible.
And The Telegraph claim they’ve enquired about the possibility of Liverpool releasing the fullback for “FREE“.
Real are said to have contacted Kop chiefs in the wake of Alexander-Arnold’s announcement of his Anfield departure.
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Real reportedly also want to have the 26-year-old embedded in the team before they jet out for the stateside Club World Cup, which gets underway on June 14.
And Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez is also said to be keen on parading the imminent marquee signing before the 32-team competition commences.
Alexander-Arnold could potentially forgo the final month of his salary to facilitate an early exit.
Liverpool, however, will ultimately have the final say over the defender leaving on a free as they hold his registration rights until his contract expires on June 30.
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Alexander-Arnold was showered with BOOS from sections of the Anfield faithul when he came on as a second-half substitute in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Sunday.
Some fans continued to boo their academy product every time he touched the ball during his 20-minute cameo.
Kop chief Arne Slot defended disgruntled fans’ treatment of Alexander-Arnold after the match.
He told Sky Sports: “In general and in life, the good thing about living in Europe is that everybody can have their opinion and that’s the same here in Liverpool.
“There were people that were not so happy with him. There were a lot of people who were happy with him, they clapped for him.
“A few of them booed. I think everybody is allowed to have their opinion.
“Towards the end, I think more and more people were positive.
“But for me, it’s simple. I owe it to the team and to the fans, to everyone, to play a team that can win a game of football.
“And Trent showed why I brought him in because he had two or three incredible balls.
“We were very close to winning it, partly because of him, so for me, it’s not that difficult.
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“For the fans, they have the reaction they want but I will always back my players.
“The one that I lead, the ones that wear a red shirt. I will always back them, no matter what.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
