Real Madrid step up efforts to sign Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold | OneFootball

Real Madrid have stepped up efforts to sign Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-ArnoldThe Telegraph.

The Liverpool-born England international (with 33 caps) is a free agent this summer, and Los Blancos are chasing his signature relentlessly.

Alexander-Arnold has been a mainstay at Anfield over the past seven years, and Liverpool fans are reluctant to see him leave, but the fact that he has not signed a new deal is ominous.

Real Madrid submitted an offer to Liverpool in the January transfer window, but it was rebuffed, with the Reds preferring to take their chances on losing him at the end of the season.

The La Liga giants are without injured first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal, who is also ageing. Meanwhile, Lucas Vazquez has been underwhelming in the position, strengthening their resolve to sign the Liverpool star.

Liverpool fans need to prepare themselves for the worst outcome. There is potentially a scenario where Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil Van Dijk walk away from the club this summer.

Liverpool must push for Joshua Kimmich – he is the perfect Alexander-Arnold replacement (View)

Liverpool need to spend the next few months hashing out a transfer deal for Bayern Munich midfielder/right-back Joshua Kimmich. The German international is also a free agent in June and potentially looking for a change of scenery.

The 30-year-old will earn massive wages, but he is one of the best operators, and his versatility would be useful for Liverpool boss Arne Slot. He is also much better than Alexander-Arnold defensively.

Kimmich would also come on a free transfer, meaning the Merseyside club has nothing to lose. He is a must for sporting director Richard Hughes this summer.

Liverpool already have 21-year-old Conor Bradley waiting in the wings to take the baton from Alexander-Arnold, and the experienced Kimmich can hold the fort for now, allowing the young player to grow into the big boots he wants to fill.