Liverpool have reportedly identified a 22-year-old defender as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Speculation over the long-term future of Alexander-Arnold at Anfield is rife, with his current contract on Merseyside due to expire in the summer of 2025.
The England international has established himself as one of the best right-backs - particularly from a creative perspective - in world football since making his senior debut for Liverpool in 2016.
Alexander-Arnold has made a total of 322 first-team appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 83 assists, and he was a key cog in the Reds machine during the Jurgen Klopp era.
The 25-year-old has won eight trophies with Liverpool, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and two EFL Cups, and he is hoping to lift more silverware with the club this season under new head coach Arne Slot.
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Alexander-Arnold edging towards Liverpool exit?
However, it has been suggested that the 2024-25 campaign could be Alexander-Arnold's last at Liverpool amid reported interest from Real Madrid, who are said to be prepared to offer the defender a 'huge' contract offer.
A recent report claims that Liverpool are resigned to the fact that Alexander-Arnold will not extend his contract at the club and they may consider selling him to Real Madrid in January.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold has revealed his ambition to win the Ballon d'Or in the future, which could potentially harm Liverpool's chances of tying him down to a new deal.
Amidst uncertainty over Alexander-Arnold's future, CaughtOffside claims that Liverpool have 'asked for information' on the situation of Red Bull Salzburg right-back Amar Dedic.
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Dedic to replace Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool?
The report adds that the 22-year-old is on Liverpool's list of targets in the right-back position, although other high-profile names also remain on their radar, including Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, Monaco's Vanderson and Lille's Tiago Santos.
Dedic is said to be eager to test himself at a higher level and he would be open to a fresh challenge in the Premier League in the near future.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international is currently being managed at Red Bull Salzburg by Pepijn Lijnders, who was Klopp's assistant coach at Liverpool between June 2018 and June 2024.
Since and including his senior debut at Salzburg in 2019, Dedic has played 87 times for the Austrian champions in all competitions, including 15 starts at either right-back or left-back so far this season.