EXCLUSIVE: Alexander-Arnold to open contract Liverpool talks

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 18 May 2023 13:37 BST
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Talks between Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold over a fresh deal are expected this summer, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The defender is set to be handed terms that will go beyond his current deal which runs until 2025. The club have had talks about a six-year extension but it is believed that it's more likely a shorter length will be agreed upon.

The right–back has been instrumental in Liverpool’s turn of form in the latter stages of the season. Jurgen Klopp has tweaked the system, using Alexander-Arnold in a hybrid role depending if the side are in or out of possession. The 24-year-old has provided eight assists and four goals in this campaign, his most recent strike being a superb free-kick against Leicester City.

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Alexander-Arnold last signed a new deal in 2021, agreeing to a further four years at his boyhood club.

Liverpool's Ugarte links

Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte will not be pursued this summer window by Liverpool. The club did have talks with Gestifute over a possible deal but were not prepared to pay the full release clause of €60million, we have been informed.

They have been question marks over whether the midfielder would be value for money. Reports that suggested that Liverpool would make a move came from publications looking to generate interest in the Premier League for the 22-year-old, who had a switch to Merseyside as his first choice.

Liverpool have had a contentious season with glaring issues in midfield. Paying for Ugarte would pose a risk given that he has no Premier League experience and is also used in a different system at Sporting CP. A figure at around €40m would have been more feasible.

Manuel Ugarte - obvious that midfielder wants to join Liverpool, hence flurry of reports. Heard club really like him but have other priorities - that said, source in Portugal claims they are haggling release clause and have been for a while now. Chelsea keen too but not as close.

— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) May 11, 2023

Liverpool feel that they would be better to source a No.6 who plays in a three-man midfield system. We revealed that Romeo Lavia is of interest to the club back in March. Though the Belgian played in a 4-4-2 for the most part at Southampton, he does at least have Premier League experience and is therefore much higher on the list.

Alexis Mac Allister and Mason Mount remain the club’s major targets at this point. There is nothing to suggest that the Argentine won’t move to Anfield if they do not manage to get a Champions League spot this season, we are told.