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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has offered a cryptic response over the club’s January transfer plans amid their push to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Spanish and European champions made an approach to Liverpool on New Year’s Eve to sign the out-of-contract right back in January — but that was swiftly rebuffed.
Sources in Madrid suggest that they are willing to try again with an official offer and it is understood they would be prepared to pay around £20million to sign Alexander-Arnold now rather than for free in the summer.
The Liverpool-born star, 26, can legally talk to Real — and other foreign clubs — now and could sign an agreement to join them for nothing when his Reds deal expires at the end of this season.
Ancelotti is said to be driving Real Madrid’s pursuit of Alexander-Arnold in January, with veteran right back Dani Carvajal on the sidelines with injury.
The Real Madrid boss was quizzed over the club’s transfer plans at a press conference ahead of their first La Liga match of the year against Valencia on Friday.
Carlo Ancelotti offered a cryptic response when quizzed over Real Madrid’s transfer plans
Real Madrid are weighing up whether to make an official offer to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold
‘We will see,’ Ancelotti replied.
He added: Talking about this in this context is more complicated, we’ll see. We have a lot of games in January and we’re focused on this.
‘It’s not easy for me to talk about the market now.
‘I don’t want to talk about it because I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about it here.
‘We’ll see what happens, but I’m delighted with the squad we have.’
Liverpool are not expected to budge from their staunch position that Alexander-Arnold will not leave midway through their own pursuit of glory, even noting he could depart for nothing in six months.
Arne Slot’s side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and have a game in hand over second placed Arsenal.
The Reds are also in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and top the expanded Champions League with a perfect record of six straight wins.
Real Madrid are extremely confident they can tempt Alexander-Arnold to sign for them
Liverpool are set to rebuff moves for Alexander-Arnold as Arne Slot’s side chase silverware
Real Madrid are extremely confident they can tempt Alexander-Arnold to join them but must persuade him to leave his boyhood club.
Liverpool insist no agreement has been reached for him to leave — now or in the summer — and they have had zero verbal indication that the vice-captain wants to jump ship to Spain.
Real are currently second in La Liga, with Ancelotti’s side lying one point behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.
The reigning European champions face two key matches in the Champions League this month, with the Spanish giants currently 20th and clinging onto a play-off spot.
