Alexander-Arnold and everything that is happening around him in recent weeks is the faithful reflection of Real Madrid's management and strategy in recent years. Alphonso Davies could also be included, but the need and what the current squad demands have led to a move, which with the Canadian will not happen in the winter market just opened. It is a question of quantity or rather the feeling that the English full-back may be more necessary now. There is confidence in the squad, but the absence of Carvajal could anticipate a move for a position that has long been considered necessary to reinforce With the agreement more than on track with the English full-back (a preliminary and essential step that all teams take before making an offer to sign a player), Real Madrid have approached Liverpool to try to reach an agreement for the imminent transfer of the defender. It is now not a question of money (the Spanish club could go as high as 25 million euros) and more about not disappointing their own players They already have it clear at Anfield The first proposal has been rejected. Logical, but at Liverpool they already know, first from the player's mouth and now with the call of the Real Madrid directors, that there are no bluffs involved. In fact, as this newspaper reported, before the Champions League match, those in charge of the English club called Valdebebas to find out if everything that was being said was true. The answer was yes. Everything is real. The interest of the white team and that of the player to wear the same color. Today, this understanding between the two parties (team and player) would already be valid and would be done within the strictest legality, being within the last six months of his contract with the current club, Liverpool. There will be more moves in response to an expected response. After shaking the cocktail, time is now needed to rest, for Anfield to think and consider what is the best solution. Real Madrid need a right-back. The solitary presence of Lucas Vazquez may be little for the six and a half months of competition that lie ahead, but this has not led those in charge at the Madrid club to do anything crazy. They have been demonstrating this especially in recent months, first with Mastantuono and then with Yoro. And in this case, with the player secured, there is even more reason not to do so. Valverde, emergency solution In Valdebebas, the possibility of the signing for this winter market has already been discussed, but if it does not arrive, the man in charge of the group (Ancelotti) will already invent something to take advantage of what is there for when Lucas Vazquez is missing. Fede Valverde for certain matches (essential in midfield) or Asencio acting as a full-back, a risky move given the possibility of burning out a good centre-back, as he has shown. Why this winter and not last, despite the injuries to Alaba and Militao? The main and most important reason is that there is a clear objective, with work already done and a situation that invites the move to be brought forward because of the need of the group. It is not a case of going to a market that has not been touched in the last five years. It is because of the conviction about an operation that is underway, which can give an immediate result. A year ago there was no alternative that fit with Real Madrid's strategy and Ancelotti knew how to adapt the squad to the needs of each match until he won La Liga and the Champions League. This is where the other option comes in, which has been worked on for some time, and that is Alphonso Davies. With the Canadian there have been many ups and downs, but what is clear is that there is not the same need to do it immediately. The principle of agreement is on the table, but it does not have to be executed now and everything is subject to what the player finally decides and whether or not he is able to resist the pressure from Bayern. Salah and Van Dijk Bayern, unlike Liverpool, are more accustomed to their players running down their contracts. There is not as much pressure as at Anfield, where the Englishman was joined by Van Dijk and Salah (who are going to renew) in running down their contracts. The German club went through this with Alaba and now they are in the same situation with Davies and Kimmich. The situation with the left-back is on track, but no movement is expected with Bayern before the end of the winter transfer window. Real Madrid has been demonstrating in recent years that signings are matured over time and that sowing to reap, with Juni Calafat at the helm, works. The Spanish club keeps its promises, but if things go awry, it moves on. Just ask Yoro or Mastantuono
