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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has offered a cryptic answer over the club's January transfer plans amid their push to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Spanish and European champions approached Liverpool on New Year's Eve to sign the contract out of contract in January, but that was quickly rejected.
Sources in Madrid suggest they are willing to try again with an official offer and it is understood they would be willing to pay around £20m to sign Alexander-Arnold now rather than for free in the summer.
The Liverpool-born star, 26, can legally speak to Real (and other foreign clubs) now and could sign a deal to join them on a free transfer when his Reds contract expires at the end of this season.
Ancelotti is said to boost Real Madrid's pursuit of Alexander-Arnold in January, with veteran right-back Dani Carvajal sidelined through injury.
The Real Madrid coach was questioned about the club's transfer plans in a press conference ahead of the first La Liga match of the year against Valencia on Friday.
Carlo Ancelotti offered a cryptic answer when asked about Real Madrid's transfer plans
Real Madrid considers whether to make an official offer to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold
“We'll see,” Ancelotti responded.
And he added: Talking about this in this context is more complicated, we'll see. We have a lot of games in January and we are focused on that.
'Now it's not easy for me to talk about the market.
'I don't want to talk about it because I don't think it's the right time to talk about it here.
“We'll see what happens, but I'm delighted with the squad we have.”
Liverpool are not expected to budge on their firm position that Alexander-Arnold will not leave midway in their own quest for glory, even pointing out that he could leave for nothing in six months.
Arne Slot's team is six points clear at the top of the Premier League and has a game in hand on second-placed Arsenal.
The Reds are also in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and lead the expanded Champions League with a perfect record of six consecutive wins.
Real Madrid hopes to tempt Alexander-Arnold to sign for them
Liverpool set to reject Alexander-Arnold moves as Arne Slot's side chase silverware
Real Madrid are very confident they can tempt Alexander-Arnold to join them, but must convince him to leave his boyhood club.
Liverpool insist that no agreement has been reached for him to leave, either now or in the summer, and they have had no verbal indication that the vice-captain wants to jump ship to Spain.
Real Madrid currently sit second in La Liga, with Ancelotti's side one point behind Atlético Madrid.
The reigning European champions face two key games in the Champions League this month, with the Spanish giants currently in 20th place and clinging to a play-off place.
