TAA saga takes fresh twist amid claims he's 'ignoring Liverpool'

Trent Alexander-Arnold has edged closer to joining Real Madrid and is ignoring Liverpool's contract offers, according to reports in Spain.

The Reds defender has just six months remaining on his current contract. He is able to open talks with foreign clubs regarding a free summer transfer as soon as the window opens on January 1.

Real Madrid have been the side most strongly linked with Alexander-Arnold, with claims suggesting that they are targeting him on a free transfer. It has also been claimed that they could even have brought a move forwards to January amid a long-term injury sustained by Dani Carvajal.

And, according to Spanish reports, there’s only a few final details to sort before a switch is finalised. According to Spanish outlet AS, the England defender is on the verge of becoming a Real Madrid player and a move to the Santiago Bernabeu is ‘almost complete’.

It is suggested that the switch will be finalised in the summer, with Alexander-Arnold not keen to push for a mid-season exit from his boyhood club. Any announcement will reportedly be delayed out of respect to the Reds.

The latest developments come after it was claimed that the defender had stayed silent on his future - even when it comes to Liverpool. Meanwhile, Reds boss Arne Slot offered a slight update on Alexander-Arnold and the club’s other two out-of-contract stars Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking last week, the Dutchman said: “In general, I don’t talk about contract situations here. It would be a surprise I was the one to announce that one of them has extended. Keep asking, that’s your job, but you’re probably not going to get an answer from me.

“It’s clear that from 1 January, maybe for you guys, things change a lot, but they are in constant talks with the club and let’s wait and see what happens. As long as they keep performing like this, the head coach is happy.”

And while a decision is reached over his future, Alexander-Arnold will be keen to focus on his commitments with his current employers. The Reds took on West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday evening ahead of next weekend’s clash with fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield.