Liverpool have reportedly turned down an opening approach from Real Madrid for defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, thereby 'killing off' any hopes of a mid-season deal.
From Wednesday onwards, the 26-year-old will be eligible to enter pre-contract talks with foreign clubs when he enters the final six months of his contract, as will Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
There is seemingly the most uncertainty about Alexander-Arnold's situation, as the vice-captain is in the prime of his career, although claims that he has already given Real Madrid his word are said to be premature.
Alexander-Arnold appeared to suggest that such stories were wide of the mark when celebrating his goal in the 5-0 win over West Ham United at the weekend, but Los Blancos' interest is an open secret.
Carlo Ancelotti is understood to view the England international as the perfect successor to the long-serving Dani Carvajal, and Alexander-Arnold's excellent relationship with Jude Bellingham could also help to facilitate a move.
Liverpool 'immediately reject' Real approach
© Imago
With just hours to go until Alexander-Arnold enters the last six months of his contract, The Times reports that Real Madrid have now tested the waters by making an approach to sign the defender in January.
However, their advances were met with the cold shoulder from Liverpool, who 'emphatically' told the Champions League holders to back off before they could present a financial proposal to the Reds board.
As the Anfield powers-that-be wasted no time in rebuffing Real Madrid's advances, their stance has supposedly 'killed off' any slim hopes that Los Blancos had of capturing the 26-year-old midway through the season.
Liverpool have apparently been trying to negotiate a new deal with Alexander-Arnold's camp for a number of months, but they remain vulnerable to losing him for nothing when the season comes to a close.
Alexander-Arnold remains one of the first names on the team sheet for Arne Slot despite his contract uncertainty, banking one goal and five assists in 23 appearances across all tournaments this season.
Where do Real Madrid, Liverpool go from here?
© Imago
Not a single soul in the Bernabeu offices should be surprised by Liverpool's swift rejection; opening approaches are often just a means of testing the waters and getting a feel of a club's resolve.
Real Madrid will be under no illusions that Liverpool will do everything in their power to keep Alexander-Arnold, but do not rule out another offer from the Spanish champions before the window slams shut.
If there is no progress in negotiations over the next few weeks, or if Alexander-Arnold drops the bombshell that he will not be signing a new contract no matter what, Liverpool may feel that they have no other option from a financial point of view but to entertain January bids.
However, Alexander-Arnold is not understood to have given any indication that he wants to leave his boyhood club, whom he has registered 20 goals and 85 assists for in 333 matches since coming through the youth setup.
The defender has openly professed his desire to win trophies, and given that Liverpool are leading the way in the Premier League and Champions League, in addition to making the EFL Cup semi-finals, there is ostensibly no better place to fulfil that ambition than Anfield right now.
Ben Knapton
