Virgil van Dijk could hold the key to Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid decision

It’s a race against time for Liverpool , and fears are growing about a move to Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at Anfield, and with January fast approaching, is facing a crucial two-and-a-half months. will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in the New Year, and we all know which club will be front of the queue.

According to , ahead of next summer, with all eyes at the Bernabeu watching closely to see what transpires from Liverpool’s attempts to tie their star player down.

if they were to lose a player surely destined to become the club’s captain in the future. Already serving as vice-captain to , Alexander-Arnold has .

"I've always said that I want to captain the club," Alexander-Arnold said just last month. "That's a goal of mine but whether that happens is out of my hands to be honest.

“I've been at the club 20 years now; I've signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. This one won't be either.”

His ambition to be captain of Liverpool is not a new development by any stretch of the imagination. Back in 2018, Alexander-Arnold made his intentions clear in an interview with .

"I want to become captain one day. That’s definitely a dream of mine,” Alexander-Arnold said. “I hope with dedication, the right advice and the hard work that still needs to be put in that one day I might achieve that dream of becoming captain, something that me and my family will be very proud of if it comes."

Of course, Van Dijk is currently Liverpool captain, having been handed the honor by last year following departure. That could all change come the summer though.

Like Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk is also out of contract at the end of the season. Considering the former is 26 and just reaching his peak years as a player, while the latter is now 33, you would have to imagine Liverpool’s priorities lie in agreeing a new deal for the England international.

Van Dijk though has . Having raised doubts with his comments following the Netherlands’ semi-final defeat at Euro 2024, the defender pledged his allegiance to club and country in September.

"At both teams I am still Virgil van Dijk, the big leader!,” Van Dijk said. “And I certainly want to remain that for the next two years. I am human, I have emotions too. You start thinking all kinds of things. Especially just after a game like the elimination (by England) in the very last minute."

It’s one thing to want to stay at the club, but it’s another to agree on the terms you’ll be doing that under. At 33, Van Dijk is not in as strong a position as Alexander-Arnold when it comes to negotiations, so he may have to concede some ground if he does want to stay at Anfield.

If the Dutch international can’t find common ground with Liverpool, then will have to find himself a new captain, and that’s where Alexander-Arnold would step in. To do that though, he will have to put pen to paper sooner rather than later.