Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly in talks with Real Madrid, a claim that has resulted in a confidence-sapping 24 hours for all associated with Liverpool. But the fact remains, the 26-year-old is still a Reds player and at this stage all it is said to be is negotiation.
Interest for Alexander-Arnold from the Spanish capital has hardly been a secret as reports first surfaced last year, then entering the January transfer window there was an official approach enquiring about a winter deal that was rebuffed. With no club football until seven days from now, unfortunately the international break has acted as an echo chamber for the latest rumours to spread unchecked.
If accurate, he is hardly the first elite player to entertain Real Madrid. The view over there is that their club is a once in a lifetime opportunity - one that players such as Liverpool's No.66 do not turn down.
But not every player hunted down for Galactico status has ended up taking what was offered. And perhaps the prime example would be Bastian Schweinsteiger, former Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder who in 2010 found himself at a crossroads at club level.
Then 25, he reached the final 18 months of his contract. Granted, that is not as pressing as Liverpool's current quandary but nevertheless a certain Spanish powerhouse were rumoured to be lingering with intent were the situation to evolve to their advantage, according to Sky Sports at the time.
Bayern supporters were so frustrated that when Schweinsteiger was handed a microphone on-field after a 3-0 victory over St. Pauli at the Allianz Arena, they booed him incessantly. It was only when he spoke that those boos turned into cheers.
"I've been playing here at Bayern Munich for 12 years and I wanted to tell you I have extended my contract for five years. Long live Bayern!," he announced to the 75,000 sitting in front of him and millions more Germans watching at home.
As much as it is a dream at this point, how poetic of a scenario would that be for Alexander-Arnold to recreate at Anfield on the final day of the 2024/25 season? What's more, he could very well do it with the Premier League trophy in hand.
It may seem like wishful thinking because of all that has been rumoured but in Schweinsteiger there stands a prime example for Alexander-Arnold of what can happen when Real Madrid are turned down.
After all, the German icon would go on to win three more Bundesliga titles, two more German cups and the Champions League with his boyhood club. Doing that in such circumstances, there is surely no greater feeling?
