There is still a significant gap between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool over wages for a new contract, according to the Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.
However, he claimed in his ‘Reading the Game’ weekly newsletter on Friday that there is some potential new hope due to the uncertainty of the situation.
While Real Madrid have a long-standing interest in the Liverpool right-back, they have recently been weighing up their options and could look to sign a replacement in January instead of waiting until summer for the England international.
As a result, they could prefer a young player who can also play across the back line, and Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong fits the profile.
Madrid watched him again in England’s under-20 game against Czech Republic and Liverpool could have a huge chance of holding on to Alexander-Arnold if the La Liga club sign the Chelsea defender in January.
The Reds want to hand their academy graduate a new deal as losing him for free will be a huge blow, and they will hope to reach an agreement before January if possible.
The 26-year-old will be able to agree to a pre-contract with another club during the winter transfer window before leaving for free at the end of the season, and Liverpool will be desperate to avoid that.
Alexander-Arnold will not be short of suitors even if Madrid end up signing Acheampong and move on from their interest in him, but missing out on a chance to join the La Liga club could see the defender change his mind concerning leaving the Anfield club.
He deserves to be one of the highest-paid players at Liverpool and in the Premier League, and they have to give him what he wants or an offer very close to it as replacing him could prove tricky.
