Real Madrid has reportedly directly informed Liverpool of its desire to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Reds right-back has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him with a move to the Spanish capital in recent months, as uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at Anfield continues to linger.

Madrid was not obligated to tell Liverpool about its intention to try and sign Alexander-Arnold, but talkSPORT says the Spanish club wanted to do so out of respect for the Reds.

Premier League LIVE: Salah leads Liverpool to crucial Man City win, Rashford on fire for Man United, Palmer earns Chelsea win	Premier League LIVE: Leicester confirm Van Nistelrooy, Brighton rule out Ferguson exit, Liverpool blow as Konate reveals injury	Ibrahima Konate out as Arne Slot makes key choice for Liverpool vs Man City – predicted line-ups and how to follow

Alexander-Arnold will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with Madrid from January 1, when he will have fewer than six months remaining on his contract at Anfield.

Liverpool is still hopeful of tying Alexander-Arnold down to a contract extension, but reports in Spain suggest Madrid is confident of landing the player on a free transfer next summer.

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 signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public - and this one won't be either."

Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Madrid in the Champions League this week; Conor Bradley started ahead of him and produced a great performance to nullify the threat of Kylian Mbappe.

Bradley was withdrawn with a hamstring injury during the closing stages of that match and Alexander-Arnold is expected to return to the line-up when Manchester City visits Merseyside this weekend.

One player who won't feature against City is Ibrahima Konate, with the French center-back set to be sidelined for five to six weeks with a knee injury he sustained against Madrid.
For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.