Real Madrid 'confidence growing' in Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer ...

Real Madrid is said to be growing in confidence that Trent Alexander-Arnold will swap Anfield for the Bernabeu this summer.

The Daily Mail reports that Madrid is convinced that the Liverpool right-back will end up quitting his boyhood club in favor of joining the 15-times champion of Europe.

Madrid is reportedly planning for life with Alexander-Arnold in the team from next season, with the Mail's sources in Spain convinced that Alexander-Arnold is keen for a new challenge in La Liga.

Madrid-based sports daily Marca, which is considered by many to be a Real Madrid mouthpiece, ran with a front page on Saturday that said: 'Alexander-Arnold: Quiere Venir Al Madrid (Wants to sign for Madrid)', which is perhaps the biggest sign yet that Madrid is confident of getting a deal over the line.

Plenty of Liverpool fans didn't take kindly to the news, with some accusing Alexander-Arnold's camp of being behind the story, and others suggesting Conor Bradley should take his place in the team for the remainder of the season when the Northern Irishman returns to fitness.

Alexander-Arnold has not had much to say about where he wants to be playing next season and beyond, and said in September that he had no intention of letting negotiations over an extension with Liverpool play out in public.

"I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say," the 26-year-old said. "I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public - and this one won't be either."

Arne Slot was asked about the contract situations of Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk — all three of whom are about to enter the final six months of their contracts — on Boxing Day, but gave nothing away.

"We don't talk about contracts in public," he said. "It is not up to me to talk about those situations in public. Mo Salah had a good game [vs Leicester], Virgil had a good game, Trent, especially in the second half was very good."