Real Madrid Unleashes 'Fear Tactics' to Snatch Two Premier League Superstars

Real Madrid are reportedly planning to employ the same strategy that successfully secured Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool to potentially acquire his former teammate Ibrahima Konaté and Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly next summer, according to recent reports.

In recent years, Madrid have become masters of the free agent market, acquiring stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba without transfer fees after their contracts expired at their previous clubs.

The Spanish giants have continued this approach this summer, working strategically to ensure Alexander-Arnold chose not to extend his Liverpool contract in favor of joining them. Nevertheless, they ultimately paid a fee to have the defender available for the beginning of the Club World Cup.

According to MARCA, Madrid are already plotting their next free-agent acquisitions for the coming summer, with several Premier League talents in their sights. They're targeting Liverpool defender Konaté and promising Arsenal left-back Lewis-Skelly, both of whom will enter the final year of their contracts at the start of the 2025–26 season.

MARCA indicates that "teams fear Real Madrid" in transfer negotiations, with their recent success certainly supporting this assertion. Alexander-Arnold's surprising fluency in Spanish upon arriving in Madrid suggests arrangements were underway for months, potentially causing Liverpool concern that the Spanish powerhouse might use similar tactics to persuade Konaté to let his Anfield contract expire before departing.

The strong French defender, who was instrumental in Liverpool's Premier League championship, is reportedly their main target, though Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera is also under consideration.

Arsenal, unlike their Liverpool counterparts, appear unconcerned by these connections to Real Madrid. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners "maintain their confidence" that Lewis-Skelly will extend his contract, with negotiations reportedly already in "advanced stages."