Report: Liverpool reject Madrid's attempt to sign Alexander-Arnold in January

Liverpool rebuffed an approach from Real Madrid to sign right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in January, sources told James Pearce and David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The England international's contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season. He's allowed to discuss a potential summer move with foreign clubs beginning Jan. 1 and has been heavily linked with a free transfer to Madrid, who've identified the pinpoint passer as their top target.

Real Madrid reportedly contacted Liverpool to learn if the Reds would be willing to sanction a January transfer and receive a fee instead of potentially losing the 26-year-old for nothing in six months.

But the clubs didn't even discuss financial terms because Liverpool immediately rejected the idea, according to Pearce and Ornstein.

Liverpool hold an eight-point lead atop the Premier League table and have a perfect record in the Champions League going into 2025. They reportedly don't want to lose one of their best players in the middle of the campaign as they look to claim multiple pieces of silverware in Arne Slot's first season.

The Premier League leaders remain hopeful that Alexander-Arnold will sign a contract extension and remain with his boyhood club. Conversations about a new deal have been ongoing for several months, sources told Beth Lindop of ESPN. Alexander-Arnold hasn't yet indicated if he prefers to stay or leave.

He's one of three Liverpool superstars entering the final months of their existing deals alongside Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been looking to bolster their backline since Dani Carvajal suffered a season-ending ACL injury in October.