None of the three Liverpool players out of contract this summer have agreed a renewal as yet with two months to go until overseas clubs can approach them. Virgil van Dijk is the only one to have confirmed such negotiations have begun.
The ECHO understands Mohamed Salah wishes to stay at Anfield but Trent Alexander-Arnold has been more ambiguous when commenting publicly. “I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say,” he said last month.
There are greater fears that the right-back could leave compared to those regarding his two colleagues. Salah and Van Dijk may have fewer esteemed alternative options who could provide similar wages and status – but for the much younger Alexander-Arnold, 26, this is not the case.
Links with Real Madrid continue to be made with their current right-back options, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, both north of 32. However, another European giant might be considering an intercepting summer swoop.
A report from Sport claims Paris Saint-Germain are mulling over a move for Alexander-Arnold. The report makes the unsubstantiated claim that the Reds vice-captain has already turned down approaches regarding a Liverpool renewal.
It adds the player is indeed considering a move away from Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes is thought to have made his contract renewal a priority.
If talks do not go to plan then PSG could look to coax Alexander-Arnold to Paris in what would be a free transfer this summer. Alexander-Arnold can sign pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs from January.
Real ‘create’ back-up plan
Spanish publication AS claims Real Madrid will take a look at Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro as a mid-term alternative option to Alexander-Arnold, if the defender decides to stay at Anfield. The report underscores that the Liverpool ace is Real’s number one target this summer.
However, Los Blancos chiefs are impressed by the development of Porro and believe he would fit in well at the Bernabeu. He has been on their radar for some time having tracked his progress in recent years, the report says.
Porro played the full 90 minutes in both of Spain’s Nations League fixtures last month, when he caught the eye of the watching viewership with his assist against Serbia. Nevertheless, he is still seen as a weaker choice than Alexander-Arnold.
