Liverpool can answer Trent Alexander-Arnold ultimatum with three transfers for £140m

Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly laid down the gauntlet to Liverpool, willing to give them a year playing under Arne Slot before assessing the state of the club, with Real Madrid lurking in the hope of bringing him to the Bernabeu.

Liverpool likely need to make a big splash in the transfer window to improve on the current squad and challenge Manchester City and Arsenal for the Premier League title again, matching their right-back’s aspirations.

Alexander-Arnold wants to compete at the very highest level, which Madrid can offer alongside close England colleague alongside close friend Jude Bellingham, potentially forcing the Reds’ hand in the market if they want to keep hold of their vice-captain.

Here, Express Sport has taken a look at three potential signings that would go some way to convincing Alexander-Arnold that he can enjoy continued success at a post-Jurgen Klopp Liverpool.

Goncalo Inacio

After missing out on Leny Yoro to Manchester United, Liverpool remain in the market for a top centre-back and Goncalo Inacio has been a long-term target.

The Sporting defender has a £50million release clause and could be the ideal replacement for Joel Matip, with defensive reinforcements required amid the continued worry that captain Virgil van Dijk could also depart.

At 22 years of age and a left-sided centre-back, Inacio could in time also succeed Van Dijk in a statement to Alexander-Arnold that Liverpool are taking their future planning seriously under the returning Michael Edwards.

Jeremie Frimpong

Wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has been one of Xabi Alonso’s breakout stars at Bayer Leverkusen, but he could be on the move this summer and German outlet Bild claims that he ‘dreams’ of a move to Anfield.

Frimpong has a £34m release clause that Liverpool could activate if Alexander-Arnold makes it clear that he wishes to play in midfield moving forward, which Klopp favoured towards the end of his tenure.

Alexander-Arnold and Frimpong could exist in the same lineup if the former wants to play centrally under Slot and the team moves to appease him. The Dutchman can also play further forward, potentially with an eye on replacing Mohamed Salah.

Mohammed Kudus

The addition of former Evertonian John Heitinga to Slot’s coaching staff has opened the door for a potential move for West Ham star Mohamed Kudus.

Kudus and Heitinga worked together at both the Hammers and Ajax, with the Ghanaian describing his ex-coach as “the best trainer I had at Ajax” and gushed over the prospect of working with him again.

“I felt very good under Heitinga. He is the best trainer I have had at Ajax,” Kudus previously said. “Apart from the training aspect, I also have a very high regard for him in terms of standards and values. Personally, I would have loved to work with him longer.”

If Salah is to depart to Saudi Arabia, triggering Kudus’ £85m release clause would be a favoured option by many following his impressive debut season in the Premier League.