REVEALED: The lengths Real Madrid are prepared to go to for Trent Alexander-Arnold in January

Liverpool refused to enter into negotiations with Real Madrid over a permanent transfer for Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of the January window.

It was reported by several sources on New Year’s Eve, including respected The Times journalist Paul Joyce, that Madrid made contact with the Reds in an effort to get a transfer over the line.

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That attempt was emphatically denied by Liverpool, who continue to plan for the rest of the season with the 26-year-old in mind.

Madrid were hoping to add Alexander-Arnold as a replacement for Dani Carvajal, whose ACL injury back in October ended his season prematurely.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have struggled to replace the Spanish international with Lucas Vazquez stepping into the breach.

Madrid to pay '€20m to €25m' for Alexander-Arnold

The 15-time European champions are desperate to add the Liverpool homegrown hero to the ranks but there is no deal to be done with the Reds this month. Instead of paying to recruit the defender, Real will probably have to open talks with him directly over a pre-contract agreement.

Alexander-Arnold is out of contract in six months and is now free to hold talks with any potentially interested overseas clubs over a summer switch.

Madrid’s approach was confirmed by Spanish sources with Marca claiming that Liverpool are now “aware that the full-back's future does not involve continuing to play at Anfield".

The sports daily also claimed that Madrid were willing to offer a sum of between €20 million and €25m to land Trent this winter and warned that the club could be back before the end of the month.

'There is NO alternative'

"The transfer window will remain open throughout the month of January and there will be time to reconsider a situation that, everything indicates, will result in Alexander-Arnold leaving for zero euros for Liverpool's coffers on June 30," it said.

What's also clear from Marca's reporting is that it's Alexander-Arnold or NOTHING for Madrid, insisting "there is no other alternative".

That fee is far beneath what the Premier League and Champions League winner would be worth under a longer contract and the risk is now that Liverpool and FSG lose their academy graduate for free.

But Liverpool are fighting for trophies on four fronts this season and will need all the help they can get from perhaps the world’s best right-back between now and the time that prizes are doled out at the end of the season.

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