'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid have got competition in the race to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. According to reports, the La Liga club is expected to face stiff competition from the Reds' Premier League rivals.
Alexander-Arnold has been the subject of transfer speculation owing to his contract situation with the Anfield club. The England international is in the last year of his contract with the Reds with talks over a renewed contract yet to reach a conclusion.
Real Madrid have reportedly made signing of the generational right back a priority, especially after the long-term injury to Spaniard Dani Carvajal. The Euro winning full back is set to miss the rest of the season after tearing his cruciate ligaments earlier this season.
Real Madrid's La Liga rivals Barcelona are also said to be keeping a close eye on the Scouser's contract situation. The Spanish clubs, however, are set to face competition from England.
According to reports in Catalonia in El Nacional, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City has emerged as another option for the 26-year-old. Liverpool's Premier League rivals are reportedly interested in signing the boyhood Red to strengthen the right-back position next season.
The reigning Premier League champions currently have Kyle Walker as their first choice right back with Rico Lewis as a back up option. However, securing the signature of the full-back would be a statement signing by Pep Guardiola.
Alexander-Arnold has been part of Liverpool all his life since joining their academy at the age of six. He has played 319 times for the Anfield-based club, scoring 19 times and providing 83 assists.
Liverpool defender coy on future amidst Real Madrid links
Trent Alexander-Arnold had last month opened up about his contract situation at Liverpool. The Guardian reported him as saying that he wants to remain at the club at least this season.
Although he said that details over his contract extension with the club won't be made public, he refused to commit his future with the six-time European champions.
"I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say," the full back said when asked about his future and links to Real Madrid via The Guardian. "I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public and this one won’t be either."
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool when he was six years old and came through the ranks to become the club's vice-captain. He has won the Premier League and Champions League with the Anfield club while his trophy cabinet also has the Club World Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup medals.
The defender will be open to discussing terms with clubs outside of England from January onwards and Real Madrid are reportedly expected to be at the front of the queue if the Reds are unable to agree terms with their star by then.
