The winter transfer window is now open for the next month
However, the drama began a day early for Liverpool, with Real Madrid approaching the Reds on New Year's Eve about signing Trent Alexander-Arnold this January.
The club rebuffed those advances for their vice-captain.
But, with less than six months remaining on the player's contract, Alexander-Arnold can now officially negotiate with overseas clubs.
Liverpool expects Madrid to take that opportunity to talk with the 26-year-old.
The Reds, though, remain in discussion with Alexander-Arnold and his representatives regarding a contract extension.
It appears the player has not told the club he has chosen to join Madrid. However, many rumours emerged on the final day of 2024.
Hours before the reports about Liverpool rebuffing an approach from Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold,
The Athletic cited sources close to Madrid when claiming the club made informal contact with the player's representatives during November
They state that the Spanish side are increasingly confident about signing Alexander-Arnold when the player is due to become a free agent this summer.
The player is also reportedly 'expected' to sign a pre-contract agreement this month to join Madrid as a free agent at the start of July
They claim Madrid has proposed a contract offer including a significant signing-on fee to the player's camp and the long-term security of at least a four-year deal.
Salah 'agreement in principle'
Before all the reports about Alexander-Arnold emerged, Football Insider reported that the club had agreed in principle to a two-year contract extension with Mohamed Salah.
However, they claim that the agreement is not final yet because of a disagreement over the player's image rights.
The outlet describes that as the main obstacle preventing Salah from signing a new contract, suggesting the player's recent update that the deal is "not close" is an attempt to pressure the club into compromising by his advisers
The outlet does, though, acknowledge there is a growing feeling the player will extend his deal.
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