Real Madrid are in desperate need of center backs. Éder Militão tore his ACL for the second time in as many seasons and will not return this year. Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid's emergency center back, is also out for the season with an ACL injury.

The noise around Alexander-Arnold has ramped up over the past week with multiple reports in Spain claiming he’s on the brink of signing for Real Madrid. The Athletic has spoken to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation to understand the current state of play surrounding Liverpool’s vice-captain. It depends on who you speak to.

Real Madrid would prefer to sign England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in January but are willing to wait until the summer, when his contract expires, if Liverpool do not want to sell the 26-year-old next month. (Marca - in Spanish)