Liverpool may reportedly receive a second bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid before the end of the January transfer window.
Throughout the campaign, the contract of the right-back has been a hot topic of debate courtesy of his existing terms expiring at the end of the season.
The player himself has previously suggested that any negotiations will take place out of the public eye, as they have done in the past.
In recent days, though, it has been heavily reported that Real Madrid have failed with an approach for the England international, their hope being that Liverpool would take the option of generating a cut-price fee through the sale.
While it has since been suggested that Liverpool have no intention of cashing in on Alexander-Arnold, it appears that another proposal may follow.
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New bid incoming?
According to The Times, Los Blancos officials are prepared to test the resolve of their Liverpool counterparts over the coming weeks.
There is allegedly a willingness to offer marginally over £20m in order to get a deal over the line before the end of the month.
Liverpool are currently powerless to stop Real Madrid from holding discussions over a pre-contract agreement with Alexander-Arnold now that he has less than six months left on his contract.
Furthermore, Real are seemingly counting on Liverpool bowing to temptation to significantly bolster their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules by selling a homegrown talent.
Nevertheless, as it stands, Liverpool will allegedly continue to turn down any proposals for Alexander-Arnold, despite there being an increasing expectation that the 26-year-old may ultimately link up with Real regardless of the outcome in January.
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Why are Real pushing for Alexander-Arnold?
Aside from the player's 20 goals and 85 assists from right-back, Real are becoming in desperate need of younger options in that area of the pitch.
Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are 32 and 33 years of age respectively, the former also sidelined in the long term with a serious knee injury.
While Carvajal may plausibly remain as first choice ahead of Alexander-Arnold, his game time will realistically be restricted upon his return.
As it stands, it is unclear how Carlo Ancelotti will handle the lack of alternatives at right-back in the short term if Alexander-Arnold remains at Anfield.
Darren Plant
