Barcelona, Real Madrid interested in €70m-rated Liverpool mainstay, contract expires in 2025

Barcelona are working on the signing of Joao Cancelo to reinforce the right-back position this summer, but negotiations with Manchester City over another loan move for the Portuguese are not going well.

In case Cancelo does not arrive, the responsibility of manning the right side of the defence will fall on Jules Kounde while Hector Fort and possibly Alex Valle will serve as backup, with Julian Araujo on his way out.

However, Barcelona do have their eyes on another right-back from the Premier League who can be signed for free in the summer of 2025.

Barcelona, Real Madrid eye Trent Alexander-Arnold

Indeed, according to AS, Barcelona have their sights on Liverpool superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold whose contract with the Reds expires in under a year.

Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid, too, are closely tracking the England international with a free transfer swoop for next year on their agenda.

The 25-year-old Englishman has been linked with Barcelona at times in the past as well but nothing really came of it.

While Alexander-Arnold is extremely unlikely to leave Liverpool this summer, his future at Anfield beyond 2025 is far from clear and he could be on the move knowing that big clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested.

Such a move would suit Barcelona as well, considering that they would not be in a position to pay a transfer fee for the England star this summer. As such, the idea of signing him for free next year is likely to appeal to them.

There is nothing concrete at this point, though, and Liverpool are open to renewing Alexander-Arnold’s contract, although they would be averse to offer over-the-top wages to convince him to stay, more so with the emergence of Conor Bradley.

If Barcelona do not sign Cancelo this summer, Alexander-Arnold could be an option for 2025.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.