FC Barcelona Target Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold As Marquee Signing

FC Barcelona will target Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold as a marquee signing, according to reports from Spain.

Despite being mired in debts of around $1.5bn, the Blaugrana have managed to land a number of big names this summer including striker Robert Lewandowski, winger Raphinha, and center back Jules Kounde.

Right back is another position that coach Xavi Hernandez is looking to strengthen, however, with preseason friendlies often seeing central defender Ronald Araujo fill in at the position.

Many corners had expected Araujo to partner Kounde in the middle moving forward, but the return of Gerard Pique, the free signing of Andreas Christensen, and a shortage of options means that Culers might have to wait to see that pairing.

Barca are trying to secure Christensen’s former Chelsea teammate Cesar Azpilicueta in that area of the pitch, but given the Spaniard’s advanced years while about to turn 33 later this month, he is not a long-term option with a good decade ahead of him like Kounde or Araujo.

To this end, then, according to an exclusive from Futbol Total, the Catalans are targeting Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold as a marquee signing in 2023.

The Scouser has a contract until 2025, but Barca will be willing to test Jurgen Klopp’s men’s resolve by offering €80mn ($81.5mn) for his signature.

The money that Barca will receive from Atletico Madrid when they have to buy loanee Antoine Griezmann for €40mn ($40.7mn) next summer will pay for half of the potential coup, and Barca should also offload other players to get the deal over the line.

Though Alexander-Arnold was born in Liverpool and has been on the club’s books since the age of six, the fact he has won everything on offer in England by the age of 23 may push him to seek new challenges as recently seen with Sadio Mane.

A legend at Anfield, the Senegalese forward engineered a move to Bayern Munich in the ongoing transfer window and Klopp didn’t stand in his way as his wishes were honored.

As of yet, there are no reports from Catalonia confirming Barca’s purported interest in Alexander-Arnold.