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As the summer transfer window approaches, the future of Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold remains one of football’s most contentious sagas.

With his contract set to expire on June 30, 2025, Real Madrid’s long-standing pursuit of the right-back is set to end in one or another very soon.

Real Madrid’s urgency stems from their desire to integrate him before June’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Reports suggest they may negotiate an early release from Liverpool to facilitate his participation

His passionate celebrations following the historical title win last Sunday turned social media users into amateur body language experts overnight, with many believing the England international was thinking about a U-turn.

Amid the speculation, Alexander-Arnold has remained tight-lipped.

After scoring a pivotal goal against Leicester City, he deflected questions about his future: “I’m not going into details.

Days like today are special”.

Alexander-Arnold, who has made 41 appearances this season despite injury setbacks, continues to remain coy in what is the biggest indication that he is departing Merseyside this summer.

While still admitting the situation does not look good, Jamie Carragher believes that the celebrations and the adulation he received from Anfield on Sunday could yet change his mind:

“It doesn’t look like it, I hope he is [staying] as I’m sure most Liverpool supporters do,” the Liverpool legend said to Sky Sports.

“He’s a unique footballer, that’s why Real Madrid wants to sign him and that’s why he’s been part of one of the most successful eras in Liverpool’s history.”

“We all want to continue that, but at the moment it’s not looking too good.”

“But when you look at the scenes at the weekend and Trent being involved in that, being a local player, the adulation and the support the Kop have for him.”

“You’re watching that hoping that will maybe sway him to put pen to paper…?

but all will be revealed in the next few weeks.”

Despite Carragher’s hopes, all the reliable and mainstream journalists reporting on the matter all say the same thing: Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid in the summer.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein noted a U-turn isn’t impossible, citing the emotional pull of his boyhood club.

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