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Real Madrid appear to have inserted themselves into the race for Liverpool target Florian Wirtz(Image: 2025 Pau Barrena)

Real Madrid have not given up hope that they can sign Trent Alexander-Arnold early for free - and it's now been speculated that they could attempt to leverage their interest in Florian Wirtz to get Liverpool to play ball.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, will join Los Blancos on a free transfer this summer in what is effectively the worst kept secret in football.

However, the Spanish giants are keen for him to join them before his contract at Anfield expires at the end of next month so he can feature in the upcoming Club World Cup.

The Reds are adamant that they will not release Alexander-Arnold from his deal early for nothing, meaning that, as it stands, Real will be without their marquee summer signing in the United States.

But that could change due to the Spanish giants interest in Wirtz.

According to Sport Witness, there is 'a game' between Real Madrid and the sought-after Bayer Leverkusen star, who is seemingly Liverpool-bound.

Until a deal is done, though, Real Madrid have 'hope' that they can swoop in - particularly as the player has a pre-existing relationship with their new head coach, Xabi Alonso.

READ MORE:Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool's Wirtz pursuit, Arsenal close on £51m signing, Rashford eyes 'dream' clubREAD MORE:Florian Wirtz's key reason for Man City transfer snub 'is to do with Pep Guardiola'

The report goes on to speculate, though, that Real Madrid's presence in the race for Wirtz could all be a ploy to try and scare Liverpool into giving them Alexander-Arnold early.

The move is described as a 'potential scare tactic' which would see Liverpool cave in and forego a transfer fee to let their homegrown right-back link up with his new club in time for the Club World Cup, which starts in early June.

It remains to be seen if this is actually the case, although Liverpool are seemingly in pole position to land Wirtz after beating off interest from Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid are still trying to get Liverpool to release Trent Alexander-Arnold from his contract early(Image: Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)

Alexander-Arnold was afforded a pleasant send-off by the Liverpool fans who watched their team lift the Premier League trophy, just weeks after he was booed by portions of the Anfield crowd.

An emotional Alexander-Arnold said: "I didn't know what to expect at Anfield after what happened a few weeks ago.

To get the reception that I got means more than anything to me.

"I hope that one day the fans of this club will be able to recognise the hard work and everything I've done for this team.

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