Real Madrid's true opinion of Trent Alexander-Arnold is a GIANT red flag

Now that the January transfer window is open, the speculation surrounding Liverpool’s three out-of-contract stars has intensified even further.

The most stark of these is Trent Alexander-Arnold, with conflicting reports from all sides. If anyone was to be believed he could have already decided to join Real Madrid, already had his demands agreed to by Liverpool, or some impossible combination of both.

READ MORE: Liverpool fans make BRUTAL chant about Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Man United

What is evident is that some sort of outcome feels like it will emerge soon. The noise around Alexander-Arnold is an unnecessary distraction that even he has said he doesn’t want to derail the Reds’ season at all.

The main sticking point for Liverpool fans and pundits alike is that leaving your boyhood club when they are the best team in the world for some vague idea of ‘playing for Real Madrid being everyone’s dream’ falls flat with even a little bit of prodding.

Especially when it is clear that Los Blancos do not value you in the way you value them.

Real Madrid want Alexander-Arnold but not at any cost

A laughable offer of €10m was knocked back for Alexander-Arnold last week, and a new report by Spanish outlet AS suggests that Madrid are willing to go up to €15m in this window to secure his services ahead of trying to get the right-back on a free in the summer.

But Madrid don’t want to go above that price because, reportedly, Alexander-Arnold is seen as an important “but not essential” piece for the Spanish side.

“Lucas Vázquez and the emergency two, [Fede] Valverde and [Raul] Asencio (to whom he has been tested recently in that work), offer some room for maneuver in the eyes of the club so as not to have to activate the panic button.”

As a result, Real are willing to wait until the summer to get the Alexander-Arnold deal done should their current efforts not be met with positivity.

It is yet another indication of the mistake that Alexander-Arnold would be making. At Liverpool he is a hero. He is the ideal for each and every kid kicking a ball around their street after they come home from school.

He’s made it. He’s a star for Liverpool. He’s won the Premier League and Champions League and chances are he’ll do it again.

Madrid have absolutely no ties to him. They barely even want him. They’re doing the deal because they can and because it will help sustain their brand.

Make the right decision, Trent. You know what to do.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool eye in-form La Liga midfielder