Reports in Spain: Trent Alexander-Arnold is a target for FC Barcelona as a marquee signing

According to reports from Spain, FC Barcelona are looking to sign Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold as a trademark signing.

Despite being nearly $1.5 billion in debt, the Blaugrana have signed a number of top players this summer, including centre-back Jules Kounde, winger Raphinha and striker Robert Lewandowski.

Coach Xavi Hernandez is also trying to strengthen the right-back position as Ronald Araujo often plays this position in pre-season friendlies.

Gerard Pique’s return, Andreas Christensen’s free transfer and a lack of options mean that, contrary to many corners’ expectations, Culers may have to wait for Araujo and Kounde to advance together in midfield.

Cesar Azpilicueta, a former Chelsea team-mate of Christensen, is wanted by Barca for the job on the pitch, but as he turns 33 later this month and is older than Kounde or Araujo, he won’t is not a long-term possibility.

To that end, the Catalans are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold as their star player in 2023, according to an exclusive report by Futbol Total. The Scouser’s contract expires in 2025 but Barca are ready to test the toughness of Jurgen Klopp’s side by making them an offer of 81.5 million dollars ($80 million).

Half of the possible coup will be covered by the money Barcelona will receive from Atletico Madrid if they pay $40.7m ($40m) to land loanee Antoine Griezmann next summer. To complete the deal, Barcelona would also sell other players.

Alexander-Arnold was born in Liverpool and has been with the team since the age of six, but having already won every English league title by the age of 23, as Sadio Mane did recently , this can motivate him to seek new opportunities. .

The Senegalese striker, legendary at Anfield, orchestrated a move to Bayern Munich during the current transfer window and Klopp hasn’t stopped him from achieving his goals. Barca’s alleged interest in Alexander-Arnold has yet to be confirmed by reports from Catalonia.

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Frank Lampard makes Liverpool claim in ‘angry’ admission over Chelsea woes

Chelsea are having an even worse season than Liverpool and Frank Lampard has highlighted a crucial difference between the two teams as they chase European qualification.

If Liverpool’s season could be described as far below expectations, Chelsea’s must be considered a complete and utter disaster.

Both sides are usually keen to fight for a place in the Premier League’s top four or a tip for the title itself, but the current campaign has been a different story altogether.

With the Reds currently sitting eighth and out of all cup competitions, including the Champions League, their hopes of appearing in Europe’s elite competition next season are hanging by a thread but alive nonetheless.

Chelsea, on the other hand, currently sit in 11th place, eight points behind the Reds having played one game more than their Merseyside rivals. They will almost certainly miss out on European qualification, despite owner Todd Boehly having spent a staggering $600m (£483m/€549m) on transfers since taking over the club 11 months ago.

Like Liverpool, they too are now out of the Champions League this season, following suit as the Reds suffered at the hands of holders Real Madrid in a rousing 4-0 defeat this week.

Interim manager Frank Lampard is under no illusions about the problems the team he represented as a distinguished player is currently facing. those of Liverpool and Manchester City – a lack of physicality.

Speaking to BT Sport ahead of the quarter-final second leg against Los Blancos, Lampard identified the issue as a big problem in the first leg.

He said: “Our physical performance in the game [was boring]. I’ve managed and coached here at Chelsea before and I understand that physically you have to be where you want to be. Teams like Man City, Liverpool over of the last five or six years or Arsenal have it now.

Liverpool.com says: Although the Reds are being complimented, Jurgen Klopp’s side are still in a similar boat to Chelsea, even though the German side have a superior points tally in the Premier League. Expelled from the Champions League by Madrid, a return to competition next season looks unlikely at best and while a $600m spending spree isn’t in the cards, a summer of big change is fast approaching. not.