La Liga's Real Madrid is poised to land Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer. Talks are underway, with Los Blancos desperate to sign the highly-rated right-back before next season.
Real Madrid Eyes Trent Alexander-Arnold
Real Madrid has been monitoring Trent Alexander-Arnold for almost two years, viewing him as the number one target for their transfer window this summer. The 26-year-old right-back has three months left on his current contract at Liverpool, which gives him the ability to negotiate a move overseas.
People close to the deal have confirmed to BBC Sport that no contract has been agreed upon as of writing, but the talks are coming to a close.
Alexander-Arnold's Legacy at Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold has been one of the pillars of Liverpool's success in recent years. Joining the club's academy at six years old, he rose through the ranks and debuted in the first team under Jurgen Klopp in 2016.
The English full-back has since accumulated more than 300 appearances and played a key role in winning big titles, such as the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup in 2019-2020.
In 2021, Alexander-Arnold signed a four-year deal and played a vital role as Liverpool lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in the 2021-22 campaign. He was also a three-time PFA Team of the Year and Liverpool's vice-captain in 2023.
Why is Alexander-Arnold Leaving Liverpool?
Even though he had strong roots in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold's future has long been a subject of discussion. With no developments on contract renewal negotiations and increasing friction with part of the fanbase, his exit appears almost certain.
His remarks in October 2023 that he wanted to win the Ballon d'Or rather than another Champions League title with Liverpool did not go down well among a majority of fans.
Additionally, his post-goal celebration against West Ham in December, where he pretended to make a "chat" gesture alluding to gossip surrounding his potential departure, exacerbated rumors that he was already thinking about leaving.
Real Madrid's Gain is Liverpool's Loss
If Alexander-Arnold does transfer to La Liga's Real Madrid, he would be following in the footsteps of Liverpool legend Steve McManaman, who signed for Madrid on a free transfer in 1999.
According to McManaman, Alexander-Arnold will excel in Spain, saying this would be a great chance for him to show the superstar in him.
Liverpool Needs to Fill Alexander-Arnold's Position Quickly
Alexander-Arnold's possible exit creates a big void for Liverpool to fill. While Northern Ireland's Conor Bradley has impressed during his outings, he brings a different style of play to the pitch than Alexander-Arnold's attacking capabilities. McManaman was confident in Bradley but also admitted that replacing Alexander-Arnold wouldn't be an easy feat.
With Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and leading scorer Mohamed Salah also entering the final year of their contracts, according to The Guardian, the club has a crucial summer on its hands. But Alexander-Arnold's departure on a free transfer will probably hurt most for supporters who have seen him grow from the academy to become one of the best English full-backs.
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