Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid, according to Spanish media outlet Marca. The England international, whose contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, is expected to move to the Bernabéu either in January or as a free transfer in the summer.
With speculation surrounding his future intensifying, this development marks a major potential departure for Liverpool, who are also negotiating contract extensions for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. If confirmed, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move would follow Real Madrid’s recent trend of signing high-profile players on free transfers.
Real Madrid’s Transfer Strategy: A High-Profile Free Agent Approach
Real Madrid’s interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold aligns with their long-term transfer strategy of securing world-class talent without paying hefty transfer fees. The Spanish giants have successfully brought in key players such as David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and, most recently, Kylian Mbappé under similar circumstances.
The addition of Trent Alexander-Arnold would significantly bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, providing an elite right-back option to complement their attacking prowess. Madrid reportedly attempted to secure his services earlier in the transfer window with a £20 million bid, but Liverpool rejected the offer. Now, the La Liga leaders are confident they can secure him for free if he opts to wait until the summer.
Liverpool’s Contract Dilemma and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Silence
Liverpool remain in contract talks with Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, and Salah, but progress has been slow. With the months ticking by, all three players are now legally allowed to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs. Losing Trent Alexander-Arnold without a transfer fee would be a significant financial blow to Liverpool, considering his status as a homegrown star.
The 26-year-old right-back has remained tight-lipped about his future, stating in September that he intends to stay at Liverpool “at least this season.” However, he has refrained from publicly addressing his long-term plans, further fueling speculation about an eventual exit. His performance levels remain high, as evidenced by his full 90-minute appearance in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest earlier this week.
Alphonso Davies Also on Madrid’s Radar
While pursuing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid are also targeting Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies to reinforce their left flank. The Canadian full-back’s contract expires in the summer, and negotiations with Bayern have reportedly stalled, making him a prime target for Los Blancos.
Davies has been a key figure at Bayern since joining in 2018, winning multiple Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup. If Madrid successfully secure both Alexander-Arnold and Davies, they will have revamped their full-back positions without spending significant transfer fees, a testament to their calculated approach in the transfer marke
Alexander-Arnold’s Future and Madrid’s Plans
With Alexander-Arnold set to announce his decision soon, the expectation is that Real Madrid will eventually land their long-term target. The club sees him as an integral part of their defensive rebuild, offering versatility in both right-back and midfield roles—something Carlo Ancelotti highly values.
If Liverpool refuse to sell in January, Real Madrid are prepared to wait until summer to sign the England international on a free transfer. If they face obstacles in negotiations, Madrid could turn their attention to alternative right-back options, though Alexander-Arnold remains their priority. Either way, a new chapter in his career is on the horizon, with the Bernabéu poised to welcome one of world football’s finest full-backs. With Liverpool still leading the Premier League table and Real Madrid strengthening for the future, the coming months will be crucial in determining Alexander-Arnold’s next move. Will he remain loyal to Liverpool, or is a move to Spain now inevitable?
Conor Bradley Tipped as Alexander-Arnold’s Successor
With Alexander-Arnold’s future uncertain, former Liverpool player turned pundit Stephen Warnock has backed young right-back Conor Bradley as a capable replacement. Speaking to BetBrain, Warnock expressed confidence in Bradley’s ability but raised concerns over his injury record.
“Conor Bradley is more than capable of replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold as the starting right-back for Liverpool if he were to leave. I have no question over his quality, the only concern is his injury record. He seems to pick up muscle injuries that keep him out for periods.”
Warnock added that consistent game time could help Bradley build physical resilience. However, Liverpool may still explore the transfer market for reinforcements should Alexander-Arnold complete his move to Real Madrid.
With negotiations intensifying, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining Alexander-Arnold’s future and how Liverpool plan to address his potential departure.
