Trent Alexander-Arnold (27, Liverpool) is getting closer to joining Real Madrid, but it appears that Real Madrid has not yet made an official offer to Liverpool.
UK 'Sky Sports' reported on the 13th (Korean time) that "Real Madrid is looking to acquire Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier than the original contract expiration date of June 30, but has not yet submitted an official offer to Liverpool."
Alexander-Arnold announced on the 6th that he would not renew his contract with Liverpool and would join Real Madrid as a free agent (FA) after his contract expires on June 30. Real Madrid wants to bring Alexander-Arnold into the team before that date.
Real Madrid wants to acquire Arnold early in preparation for the FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the U.S. in June. This year's Club World Cup is an expanded tournament with 32 teams participating, running for a month in the U.S., and Real Madrid hopes that Arnold joins the team from early June.
However, there are also concerns that if they want to take the player before the transfer, they must pay a transfer fee to Liverpool.
Sky Sports reported that "Real Madrid only contacted Liverpool last week to ask if Arnold could be sent early, but did not make an official offer."
Liverpool substituted Arnold during the home game against Arsenal on the 12th (2-2 draw), and he was booed by some Anfield fans.
Real Madrid also plans to appoint Xabi Alonso, the current Bayer Leverkusen manager, as the next coach ahead of the Club World Cup's first match against Al Hilal in Miami, U.S., on June 18. Manager Alonso has already announced that he will leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen after the season.
Sky Sports' chief reporter Kave Solhekol explained that "winning or finishing high in the Club World Cup can generate additional revenue of about £100 million (approximately 187.2 billion won). This is a very important issue in the era of Financial Fair Play (FFP)."
He added that "from Liverpool's perspective, they could say, 'If you want to get the player quickly, an offer must be made.' On the other hand, Real Madrid can argue that since Liverpool's season ends at the end of May, it would be financially advantageous for Liverpool to send Arnold quickly rather than paying wages to a player who won't play games in June."
Additionally, reporter Solhekol noted that "even if Alexander-Arnold cannot join in the early stages of the Club World Cup, he can join during the tournament phase after the group stage."
He explained that "FIFA introduced a new mid-registration period for players after the group stage starting from this tournament," and added that "since Arnold will become a FA as of June 30, Real Madrid can complete the acquisition after this point and request player registration from FIFA, allowing them to add Arnold during the tournament."
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