REAL MADRID will try again to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold before the end of the month.
Liverpool rejected Real’s previous attempt to land the England star, refusing to even entertain a potential offer of £20million.
But reports in Spain say Bernabeu bosses will test the Anfield club’s resolve with another approach.
Real are understood to be confident 26-year-old TAA will be their player next term and a key part of a long-term revamp.
But they also want him to help ease short-term issues that were exposed again in a 5-2 defeat to Barcelona last Sunday.
The LaLiga giants know it will be hard to persuade the Quad-chasing Prem leaders to sell now.
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Alexander-Arnold is also reluctant to try to force the issue due to a hostile reaction from fans.
He had a shocker in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United earlier this month with some of the Kop crowd turning on him.
In the meantime, Liverpool are said to have already found a replacement.
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According to Bild reporter Christian Falk, they have identified Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich as the man they want to sign if the England star goes.
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Like Alexander-Arnold, the German international is also out of contract at the end of the season.
Falk wrote on X: “Liverpool are considering the signing of Joshua Kimmich.
“Kimmich is a free agent in the summer, Bayern are in talks with Kimmich for a new contract.”
But Liverpool have been free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with the player since January 1.
Falk did not clarify whether Liverpool intend to make a January bid or whether they will wait until he is a free agent in the summer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk