Alexander-Arnold looking RIPPED as Fabrizio Romano offers Real Madrid update

For Liverpool fans, the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold to the club can't come soon enough. The links to Real Madrid just won't go away, and the player's summer activities are ensuring it's quickly turning into the biggest transfer saga of the summer.

While a potential move to the Bernabeu may still be a long way off, Alexander-Arnold has spent his post-Euro 2024 break with close friend Jude Bellingham in the United States, sparking a whirlwind of rumours.

The duo's close friendship has blossomed since Bellingham joined the England national team two years ago and they were recently seen together at the world-renowned Nobu Malibu, as per Daily Mail, fuelling speculation among fans that Bellingham might be trying to recruit the 25-year-old Alexander-Arnold to the Spanish giants.

This speculation was intensified a few days ago when the Liverpool defender was seen signing a Real Madrid shirt for a young fan.

Despite these rumours, Liverpool remains hopeful of securing an extension for Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires in June 2025.

The club is keen to finalise talks soon to avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer, as he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from 1 January 2025.

Fabrizio Romano: "No change" in the Trent situation

Amid the growing speculation about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has weighed in with his view on the situation.

"Absolutely no change in Trent’s current situation despite reports,” Romano said in his Daily Briefing.

"As I always repeat, footballers are friends but it means nothing in terms of transfers.

"Just because Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham have been seen having dinner together… there’s really nothing more to say. They are great friends and that’s it.

"Real Madrid are monitoring Trent’s situation as reported back in March and the situation has absolutely not changed at all so far.”

A big year ahead for Alexander-Arnold

Whether the Scouser heads to the Spanish capital or stays on Merseyside, this will nonetheless be a big year ahead for the Reds vice-captain.

As Liverpool gear up for the upcoming season under new head coach Arne Slot, it remains to be seen how the England man's talents will be utilised in the post-Klopp era.

While the outgoing gaffer more recently chose to employ Alexander-Arnold as an inverted full-back, England boss Gareth Southgate experimented with playing him as an out-and-out holding midfielder in the opening two games in Germany before abandoning the experiment altogether.

In any case, despite the distractions, Alexander-Arnold appears to remain focused on his football.

While enjoying his summer break, the right-back has shown off a significant body transformation.

The 25-year-old has been sharing updates of his enhanced physique, indicating a rigorous off-season fitness regime which Reds fans hope means he's ready for business this upcoming campaign.