Real Madrid have three backup options ready if they fail to sign Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold - Reports

Real Madrid have reportedly identified three players as backup options should they fail to sign Trent Alexander Arnold from Liverpool. The Spanish giants are said to have identified Pedro Porro, Jeremie Frimpong and Juanlu Sanchez as the replacement for Dani Carvajal.

As per a report in The Atheltic, Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez are in agreement that a right-back needs to be signed at all costs in the summer of 2025. They believe that the club should get a long-term replacement for Carvajal, who is currently out for the season because of an ACL injury.

Alexander-Arnold remains their #1 target but they are also readying a backup plan should the Englishman decide not to join. Real Madrid do not want a repeat of 2022 when Kylian Mbappe changed his mind about joining on a free transfer and then had to scramble for a backup plan.

Porro, who is in red-hot form at Tottenham Hotspur, is said to be a key target for the club. The former Manchester City defender was linked with the Blancos in the summer as well, while reports suggest a move in January is not ruled out.

Frimpong is another former Manchester City star who is in Blancos' radar. He has been doing well at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso.

Sanchez is the final name on the three-man list. Real Madrid believe the Sevilla star can emulate Sergio Ramos, who had also joined from the Spanish side.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could reject Real Madrid and stay at Liverpool, claims Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold could be 'worried' into staying at Liverpool. He believes that the defender will get a lot of criticism for leaving Anfield when his contract expires amid Real Madrid talks.

He told CBS Sports:

“I think the reaction to him will be different to Salah when we start talking about his [contract situation]. I think he will get a lot more criticism because when you’re a local player a lot more is thought of you. And I think that the feeling of the Liverpool supporters will worry him a little bit and I think he’ll end up signing.

“I think he will be very worried about the reaction if he didn’t sign and he left on a free to go to, say, Real Madrid. I think the feeling with Liverpool supporters would be a lot different to what it has been of late, in the last few days, with Mo Salah… because he’s a local player.”

Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League despite Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence. Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored the two goals as Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah missed their penalties.