Real Madrid’s January plot revealed as Keane hits Liverpool ‘stuff’

Real Madrid are biding their time in their bid to secure Trent Alexander-Arnold’s January transfer as Roy Keane hit out at the Liverpool star who “defends like he’s never played at right-back”.

Alexander-Arnold is one of three Liverpool stars whose contracts expire at the end of the season, along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, and has reportedly decided to join Real Madrid in 2025.

El Chiriguito host Josep Pedrerol, who is close to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, confirmed Wednesday that Alexander Arnold and Los Blancos have “closed a deal” for the Liverpool defender to join on a free transfer this summer.

Pedrerol said: “Alexander-Arnold has closed a deal to join Real Madrid in June. There are still some small details, but if nothing happens he will play for Real Madrid next season and come on a free transfer .”

Despite admitting a deal “seems very difficult” in January, Pedrerol has revealed a transfer between Liverpool and Real Madrid could be completed in the winter if the Premier League side lower their demands to around €40m.

Pedrerol added: “There is a possibility that Liverpool will lower their demands (in January), but it seems very difficult because Liverpool are fighting for everything. To let a starting full-back go now would be very complicated.

“Real Madrid are not going to spend €70-80 million, which is the figure that Liverpool are considering, for him to come now.”

And Marca now claim, in a report focusing on their bid to sign Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich, that Real Madrid remain hopeful of bringing Alexander-Arnold to the club this month.

The report says:

‘Real Madrid do not despair with the idea of ​​being able to incorporate him in this market. Will wait until the time he sees fit to get closer to Liverpool again and formalize a new proposal. With the player’s yes in the pocket, for Valdebebas, they hope that the English club’s property will end up accepting the offer.’

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TBR Soccer confirm that Madrid is considering a new bid for the England international, who has already received a proposal of €20m. beaten back by Liverpool.

But Roy Keane has warned the Spanish giants about Alexander-Arnold – who was heavily criticized after his lackluster display in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United – claiming he is playing as if he has been asked to “fill in” as right back.

“If Trent Alexander-Arnold goes to Real Madrid, good luck to him – as if Madrid don’t know how to defend,” he said on the Stick to Football podcast.

“He’s played over 300 games and played for England, but he still defends like he’s never played at right-back.

“He’s played all these games and he’s got to train but he’s playing right-back and people are going at him like he’s confused and never seen anything like this before.

“Trent defends like Liverpool have had a lot of injuries and they’ve asked him to just fill a position.”