'I'm hearing' - Paddy Pimblett makes big claim about Trent Alexander-Arnold's future at Liverpool

Liverpool-born UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett has revealed what he's "heard through the grapevine" regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold's future.

With nine months remaining on his current deal, boyhood Liverpool fan Alexander-Arnold has yet to make a decision regarding the next step in his career.

Liverpool are keen to initiate contract negotiations with Alexander-Arnold but Real Madrid have held ‘several’ discussions with the defender's entourage over a transfer, according to Spanish outlet Relevo.

Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for the England international, who recently opened up on his future.

“I want to win trophies," he told reporters. "I’m a player who is highly motivated by winning things and being elite. That’s probably the main factor of anything. I want to win."

He added: “I have always said I want to captain the club. That is a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands. I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say."

With his future up in the air, Liverpool's very own Paddy Pimblett has added fuel to the fire by saying he's heard that Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

"I'm hearing lots of things through the grapevine that he's going," he told OLBG, as quoted by Liverpool Echo. "I think Virgil and Salah are going to stay, but I don't know what's happening with Trent. I hope he stays because he's going to be Liverpool's captain one day."

Pimblett continued: "If he stays, he's going to be a Liverpool legend, he's going to be remembered forever and he'll win more. But I think he'll leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth if he leaves on a free.

“Steve McManaman [left on a free transfer] – I've met him before he's a nice fella – but he doesn't get looked at in the nicest way in the city, you know what mean? Neither does Michael Owen.

"And if they wouldn't have left, they would have been club legends. Trent can be a club legend if he wants to, he can be remembered like Gerrard, but it's up to him whether he wants to do that.“

Image credit: Getty

The 26-year-old, who has made over 300 appearances for Liverpool, wants to be the first full-back to win the Ballon d'Or.

"I believe I can," Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports. "I want to be the first full-back to ever do it. It's only the morning after you retire that you're able to look in the mirror and say, 'I gave it everything I got'.

"It doesn't matter how many trophies you win, or how many medals you've got. It matters what you give to the game and if you reach your full potential."