Liverpool news: Arne Slot could replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with huge Bundesliga star

With Liverpool sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, a number of their biggest stars have less than a year on their contract.

Mohamed Salah, who already has 22 goal contributions this season, and Virgil van Dijk, who has been at the centre of the Reds’ defence for several years, are among those players.

Academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold is also yet to sign a new deal, and some of Europe’s biggest names are beginning to circle.

Calling from Madrid

Real Madrid have been rumoured to be interested in the 26-year-old right-back for some time, but it looks like Los Blancos are stepping up their pursuit of the Englishman.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool and Madrid’s midweek Champions League bout, fellow countryman Jude Bellingham was asked about the possibility of playing with Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid next season.

He said: “I’ll be playing alongside him next season for England anyway, that will be a guarantee.

“He’s a Liverpool player, and it would be disrespectful to come to his home today with a big game tomorrow and talk about something that could be misconstrued, so it’s important to take that pressure off him.”

Bellingham later added: “When Real Madrid come knocking on the door, it shakes the whole house, it’s hard not to open and accept,” when quizzed about his decision to choose Carlo Ancelotti’s side over Liverpool last year.

Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold’s close relationship is no secret, and whilst the Madrid star was respectful to his friend’s situation, he made it crystal clear that it can be hard to ignore interest from the Spanish giants.

Liverpool’s replacement being lined up

With Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation looking more and more unknown, it appears as though Liverpool boss Arne Slot is looking to line up a possible replacement.

The Dutchman seems to have his sights set on fellow countryman and Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong.

However, he could face stiff competition from North-West rivals Manchester United, who are also rumoured to be interested in the Netherlands international, according to Blid.

Last season, the 23-year-old scored 14 goals and set up a further 12 assists as Leverkusen went unbeaten to win their first German football league title in their history, as well as the DFB-Pokal.

Former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso would demand a huge fee for one of his key players, especially as Frimpong’s former side Celtic would be entitled to 15% of any transfer fee received for the defender.

There is no doubt that if Alexander-Arnold is to leave Liverpool next season, Frimpong would be a fantastic signing to replace him.

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