Trent Alexander-Arnold has signed a contract extension to 2025 at Liverpool, who are in advanced talks with the goalkeeper Alisson over following suit.
Alexander-Arnold, who came through Liverpool’s academy, said he felt honoured to be offered a new deal and that agreeing to it was “a no-brainer”.
The 22-year-old right back told the club’s website: “I’m made up. It’s the only club I’ve ever really known, so to be here for this amount of time and extending to be here for a longer amount of time is amazing for me and my family. It’s a proud moment for me – it always is – signing a new contract here.
“It’s not too often [I think about it] but I think I’ve achieved so much; I’ve achieved so many dreams and goals that I never actually thought I would. I live the dream every day really.”
Alisson is also keen to agree a new deal. He joined from Roma in 2018, and has established himself as the first choice.
Arsenal have completed the signing of Ben White from Brighton in a £50 million deal that makes him their third most expensive arrival of all time, and will now turn their attention to persuading two senior players to stay at the Emirates.
White had been one of Mikel Arteta’s top summer targets and his ability to pass out from defence, as well as step into midfield, was seen as a key component in speeding up Arsenal’s game in possession. Although the 23-year-old centre-back effectively replaces David Luiz, he is more than a decade younger and appears yet to reach his ceiling. He will take the No 4 shirt and has signed a five-year contract.
New contracts
The club have not lost hope that Héctor Bellerín and Granit Xhaka, both of whom are keen to move, will join White in this season's squad and are preparing to offer them new contracts.
Bellerín’s representatives met Edu, the technical director, this week and were informed Arsenal would like him to extend his deal, which ends in 2023. Internazionale are interested in Bellerín and have proposed a one-year loan with an option to buy next summer. However, Arsenal will entertain only a permanent move or a loan with an obligation to purchase.
Atlético Madrid are also monitoring the situation closely, with their right-back Kieran Trippier keen to return to England and Manchester United considering a move.
A similar situation applies to Xhaka, the subject of a bid from Roma. Arsenal have rejected the offer and will ask the midfielder to agree a contract extension. Xhaka’s deal also expires in 2023, and the club are keen to protect themselves, while ensuring two experienced players are retained for at least another year at a time when replacements would be costly and difficult to source.
Coming days
Marcus Rashford will have an operation to resolve his long-standing shoulder injury in the coming days and is set to miss the opening months of the season.
The Manchester United forward played with the issue for much of last season and it is understood he wanted surgery straight after featuring for England at Euro 2020. But Ole Gunnar Solskjær said no firm decision had been made, the manager saying on Wednesday that it needed to be decided “what’s best for him and best for the club”.
United confirmed on Friday that Rashford would have surgery, which is expected to keep him out until October.
United said in a statement: “Following consultation between Marcus, the manager, club medical staff and specialists, Marcus will undergo surgery imminently to resolve his shoulder injury. He will now focus on his rehabilitation in order to return as soon as possible.” – Guardian
