Nicolas Jackson's rocket fires Chelsea to crucial victory over Everton
Chelsea secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Everton at Stamford Bridge, with Nicolas Jackson's first-half strike proving the difference in a tense Premier League clash.
The 26-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, has been heavily linked with a free transfer to the Spanish giants, but the Reds are refusing to let their homegrown talent slip away without a fight.
According to recent reports, Liverpool have made a "super offer" that could see Alexander-Arnold earn around 310,000 pounds per week, a deal designed to convince him to stay at Anfield, where he has played his entire professional career. The move comes after teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, both previously out of contract in 2025, committed their futures to the club earlier this month.
Despite the optimism surrounding Liverpool's latest push, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has cautioned that Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid remains on track. "Trent Alexander-Arnold is still expected to join Real Madrid. NO changes despite the 'noise' on social media," Romano posted on X, dismissing speculation of a U-turn.
Alexander-Arnold, who scored the decisive goal in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Leicester City on April 20, remained tight-lipped about his future post-match. "I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details," he said. "But days like today are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles, they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part."
The Reds' passionate fanbase has been buoyed by Alexander-Arnold's emotional celebration against Leicester, where he tapped the Liverpool badge and smiled at supporters, sparking hope he might stay.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are also in the race for Bournemouth's highly-rated defender Dean Huijsen, who has a 50-million-pound release clause. The 20-year-old Spaniard has attracted interest from Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.
However, Romano clarified that Huijsen has not yet decided his next move. "The reality is that Dean Huijsen has not made a decision yet," he said. "He's speaking to Chelsea, for sure. Liverpool will be there because Liverpool's interest is really genuine. Arsenal are also pushing. Mikel Arteta wants one more top defender."
Romano added that while Real Madrid are a "favourite option" for Huijsen, their hesitation to commit funds could pave the way for a Premier League move. "The situation is really leaning towards a move to the Premier League," he said, noting that Bayern Munich face challenges competing with the financial might of English clubs.
As the transfer window looms, Liverpool's pursuit of both Alexander-Arnold's signature and Huijsen's services underscores their ambition to remain a dominant force. With the Premier League title within reach, the Reds are pulling out all the stops to secure their future on and off the pitch.