Real Madrid have held discussions with Liverpool over the early release of Trent Alexander-Arnold from his contract.

The 26-year old confirmed on Monday that he would sign for the Spanish giants when his deal runs out at the end of June.

It brought an end to a saga that had stretched on for much of the season with Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all set to be out of contract by this summer. 

However, Salah and van Dijk would both go on to pen terms, but Alexander-Arnold will now embark on a new chapter. 

He has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, who made an approach in January to bring him to the Bernabeu already, but the Spanish giants are keen make another move. 

Madrid would like the England international in their squad ahead of the Club World Cup where their opening fixture is against Al Hilal in Miami on June 18.

No figures have yet been mentioned or even floated in discussions between clubs though it is understood Madrid are looking to offer around £850,000.

The initial contacts have simply been Madrid signalling an intent to ask.

His current Liverpool deal will end on June 30, with the competition in the United States getting underway earlier in the month.

After their opener against Al-Hilal, Madrid’s other group games are against Pachuca on June 22 and Salzburg on June 27.

World football governing body FIFA has confirmed there will be a short initial transfer window this summer, running from 1 to 10 June, which is designed for clubs competing in the Club World Cup to amend their squads in time for the competition.

However, should the Reds hold firm, Alexander-Arnold could still be able to feature in the latter stages of the competition provided the deal goes through before July 3. 

FIFA also established a separate special window for registration between June 27 and July 3.

Meanwhile, Mail Sport understands that the right back will pen a deal with Real Madrid keeping him in the Spanish capital for five years. 

Alexander-Arnold’s England team-mate, and close friend, Jude Bellingham is the star of the show at Real, who are believed to be preparing to make Xabi Alonso their new manager following the end of the season. 

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold posted an emotional video announcing his impending departure on Monday, stating: ‘Ok. After 20 years at Liverpool football club I’ll be leaving at the end of the season. I think the decision for me is personal. To change environment, to challenge myself elsewhere.

‘It’s not about wanting to find something better, it’s about me and my personal journey as a player and I feel like now is the right time for me to go and experience that. 

‘People won’t be happy with the decision, but it’s something that I feel like I need to do on my journey and my career.

‘The times that I’ve had here, the memories, the special moments, are and will be some of the best moments I’ll have in my life – and memories that live with me forever.

‘And I’m eternally grateful to everyone who’s helped me along the way. Being able to sit here now as a two-time Premier League champion for the club that I grew up loving, it’s a great end to the story for me.

‘Of course it’s very emotional for me. It’s all I’ve ever known. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted to do. Dreamed of as a kid. It’s just very emotional if I’m honest because the club, the city, the fans, the people have given me things that I could never have dreamt of in my wildest dreams.’

He continued: ‘It’s a journey that I’ve lived through that millions of people will dream of doing and I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to experience it. I’ll never forget it and I can’t think everyone enough for the support, the belief, amazing moments we’ve had.

‘The love I have for this club will never leave. It will never diminish. I’ll love it forever. I’ll forever be in debt to the club and the fans for everything they’ve done for me. And there’s no doubt about it, I’ll be back. Any chance I get, I’ll come watch games. I’ll be supporting, I’ll be wanting the club to win and the club to be successful.

‘There’s nothing changing in that. I will always remain a Liverpool fan.