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Real Madrid and interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of the most significant transfer sagas of the January window – and one that has surely left Liverpool fans feeling bored and frustrated.

Real Madrid’s pursuit of Alexander-Arnold intensified after Carvajal suffered a serious knee ligament injury in October, leaving Lucas Vázquez as their only recognized right-back.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s side competing for La Liga and the Champions League, the club identified Alexander-Arnold as their top target to fill the void.

Reports suggest that Madrid initially hoped to sign him for a cut-price fee of €15-20 million in January due to his expiring contract in June 2025.

However, Liverpool swiftly rebuffed these offers, unwilling to lose such an integral player mid-season while chasing both Premier League and Champions League glory.

Despite Liverpool’s firm stance, Real Madrid reportedly maintained “constant contact” with Alexander-Arnold’s representatives with some (mostly Spanish) reports asserting that he reached a preliminary agreement for a free transfer in the summer.

However, Sky Sports were quick to pour cold water on these reports.

Florentino Pérez and Madrid officials were reportedly banking on Alexander-Arnold exerting pressure on Liverpool to sanction a January move, but this strategy has yet to yield results.

With Liverpool refusing to entertain a January sale, all eyes now turn to the summer transfer window.

And it seems that this scenario has now angered the record European Champions.

Why are Real Madrid ‘angry’ with Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Sky Sport Switzerland have claimed that Los Blancos are now angry at how Trent Alexander-Arnold has handled the situation so far.

Their feelings are said to stem from the ‘slowdown in discussion’ with Alexander-Arnold and his entourage.

As a result, Madrid are now setting their sights on Joshua Kimmich – who is also a free agent in the summer as things stand and has been linked to Liverpool this January as well.

It is claimed that there are two reasons for this: Firstly, to ‘divert attention’ from talks with Liverpool’s vice-captain and thereby make it easier to negotiate without all the media attention and noise.

It is then to be a smokescreen for Real Madrid while they try and lure Alexander-Arnold to the Spanish capital.

The second reason is simply to lay the groundwork for Kimmich in the event that their hopes for the Reds’ vice-captain do end up falling through.

When asked by BILD about his contract situation at Bayern Munich recently, the German international said.

“There will be an update at some point, but I am not going to comment on it every three days.”

Alexander-Arnold, who hasn’t spoken to English media since September, said back then:

“I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public?

This one won’t be either.”

He continues maintains a diplomatic silence – which has been perceived negatively by some sections of the fanbase.

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