The brass at Premier League champions Liverpool have this week dealt their counterparts at Real Madrid something of a blow.
This comes amid confirmation that the Reds will not allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to depart prematurely, unless afforded sufficient financial compensation.
The Real Madrid hierarchy are currently hard at work, in an effort to fast track defender Alexander-Arnold’s impending free agent arrival at the club.
Incoming manager Xabi Alonso is understood to be keen to have the England international at his disposal for next month’s FIFA Club World Cup.
Florentino Pérez and co. have therefore opened talks with the Liverpool board, in the hopes of reaching an agreement over the termination of the final month of TAA’s contract.
Real, initially, were optimistic regarding the chances of their Anfield counterparts sanctioning as much for free.
As confirmed by Marca, however, this will not be the case.
Instead, Liverpool have made crystal clear that Alexander-Arnold will only be allowed to depart in early June in the case of Real Madrid handing over a fee.
