Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer saga takes bombshell twist as 'major breakthrough' made in Liverpool star's future

A MAJOR update has been provided on the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid intense transfer speculation.

Alexander-Arnold, who limped off during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, has been linked with a stunning move away from Anfield.

That's because his existing deal expires at the end of the season, with the superstar defender yet to extend his contract.

Alexander-Arnold is one of three players who could leave Merseyside for free at the end of the season alongside fellow stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who scored his eighth league goal of the season against Villa.

According to Spanish journalist Jose Felix Díaz, talks around the signing of Alexander-Arnold has 'intensified' at Real Madrid.

The report claims the club's sporting management has already been looking for 'possible operations' that could be carried out in the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old is free to speak to foreign clubs from January, which would mark the final six months of his current deal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks to Arne Slot after being forced off with an injury. Image: Getty

Real have prioritised a right-back following the injury to Dani Carvajal, with the England international at the top of the club's transfer wish-list.

He has been with Liverpool for his entire professional career, having graduated from the club's youth academy.

He's made 325 appearances across all competitions for the Reds, scoring 19 goals. He's helped his boyhood side win the Premier League and the Champions League among other trophies.

If Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool for Real, then he'd link up with fellow Englishman and good friend Jude Bellingham, who made the switch in the summer of 2023.

Earlier this month, Arne Slot insisted that he is not worried about the ongoing uncertainty as long as the three players continue to deliver on the pitch, which they have been doing.

"For me the contract situation could become a problem if the players don’t perform as well as they do at the moment," he explained.

"Of course it’s not sure that if, if, if they perform not as good any more that it has anything to do with their contract situation.

"At the moment all three of them are in a good place, all of them perform really, really, really well and there are ongoing discussions, as Virgil said, with the people he has to talk with, and that’s not me as you know. I talk with him to him about other things.

"Let’s wait and see but all what he said is completely right in that he doesn’t exactly know what the future will be as long as he doesn’t sign the contract yet."