Trent Alexander-Arnold is in line for a bumper new contract - whether that be with Liverpool or Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold, 25, has entered the final year of his current deal with Liverpool, with talks yet to seriously ramp up as the Reds go through a transition period. Arne Slot has replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager, with Liverpool also welcoming a new sporting director in Richard Hughes.
The situation leaves Alexander-Arnold free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club as soon as January - just like team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah - and he isn't short of admirers. Reigning European and La Liga champions Madrid have been increasingly linked with signing the right-back on a free transfer.
Just like Los Blancos did in their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe, they would likely offer Alexander-Arnold a huge signing-on bonus and a lucrative salary. And former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes that will only strengthen the England international's negotiating position with Liverpool.
Discussing the topic on his YouTube channel, Foster explained: "You have probably £600k-a-week there between Van Dijk and Mo Salah alone, them two. About Trent Alexander-Arnold, he knows that if he signs a new four, five-year contract, he is straightaway a £100million asset.
"If somebody wants to buy him when he signs a new contract, it's £100m minimum, absolute minimum. But Trent knows that, so he can say, right, you make me the highest-paid player in the Premier League and I will sign a new contract.
"And I could see that happening as well. He could hold out for it because if he goes on a free transfer to Real Madrid, he's getting £400k, £500k-a-week, he will."
The Liverpool Echo report that Alexander-Arnold is determined to avoid having talks over his future played out in public, suggesting that the Reds could be closer to agreeing a deal than we anticipate. Members of the media attempted to speak to the defender after his impressive performance against Ipswich Town on Saturday, but he politely declined and gave a cheeky response.
"I don't know what you'd possibly want to speak to me about!" Alexander-Arnold quipped before boarding the team bus.
Slot has also refused to discuss the topic publicly, saying in pre-season: "That contract situation is not discussed at this place (the press conference), but just keep trying I would say!"