Liverpool have been handed a shock boost to their hopes of keeping Trent Alexander-Arnold at the club beyond the summer as Real Madrid identify new target at right back.
Madrid’s interest in Alexander-Arnold has been well-established in recent months, especially as they look to replace the injured Dani Carvajal with a right-back.
With Alexander-Arnold’s contract expiring at the end of the season and Liverpool undergoing a transitional phase post-Jurgen Klopp, this might be the ideal moment for him to make a move.
His strong relationship with Jude Bellingham is also noteworthy, as international teammates often influence each other’s transfer decisions.
However, in a surprising development, Madrid seems to be shifting their focus to another potential replacement for the 32-year-old Carvajal.
According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Madrid is “monitoring the situation” of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.
The 23-year-old right wing-back is under contract with the Bundesliga side until 2028, but he reportedly has a release clause of around £33 million.
Frimpong shares a similar profile to Alexander-Arnold, with his strengths leaning more towards attacking play than defense.
Having emerged as one of Europe’s top talents, securing Frimpong for £33 million would be considered a great deal.
Nonetheless, acquiring Liverpool’s star right-back for free might be an even more attractive option, especially given his established track record of world-class performances compared to Frimpong.
Alexander-Arnold addressed his uncertain contract situation last month when the Madrid rumors began to circulate. “I want to be a Liverpool player this season at the very least,” he stated.
He emphasized that any developments would be handled privately and with respect, saying, “I’ve been at the club for 20 years now. I’ve signed four or five contract extensions, and none of those were public. This one won’t be either.”
Despite the speculation surrounding him, the 26-year-old has remained focused, showcasing his talent for England in their recent win against Finland, where he scored an impressive long-range free-kick.
