Trent Alexander-Arnold could soon be a Galactico. A source told ESPN that Real Madrid are “very optimistic” of signing the England international on a free transfer in the summer, although a an agreement has yet to be reached.
Alexander-Arnold’s move to Spain would come as a severe blow to his boyhood club Liverpool, where he made his debut as an 18-year-old in 2016.
The fullback has been a key architect of Liverpool’s era-defining success over the past decade, winning seven trophies including the Champions League and Premier League. He could lift his second league title this season, with the Merseyside club 12 points clear at the top of the table with nine games left.
An academy graduate who was born and raised on Merseyside, Alexander-Arnold was Liverpool captain in-waiting. Now, he is potentially into his last few months as a Red.
ESPN takes a look at how we got here.
August 2024: Liverpool stars must earn new contracts, Arne Slot says
The futures of Liverpool’s three stars — Alexander Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah — have loomed over their season right from the start of the year. The trio’s contracts at Anfield expire at the end of the campaign, and none of them have agreed to an extension.
Ahead of their clash against Brentford in August, Arne Slot threw the gauntlet at them and said strong performances would reward them with the contracts they were looking for.
October 2024: Real Madrid begin search for Carvajal replacements
Madrid begin their search for a right-back after Dani Carvajal suffers a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a LaLiga game against Villareal.
The club had seen Alexander-Arnold more as a market opportunity rather than a priority, sources said, but in light of Carvajal’s injury, his characteristics and international experience mean he’s viewed as one of their best options.
November 2024: Real Madrid eye January deal amid Alexander-Arnold interest
Successive defeats at the Bernabéu to Barcelona and AC Milan coupled with Lucas Vasquez’ troubles at right-back saw Madrid step up their interest in Alexander-Arnold.
However, sources told ESPN there was an understanding at the club that agreeing a deal with Liverpool in January would be difficult and they are exploring other options as well.
Dec. 27 2024: Liverpool in ‘constant talks’ with Salah, Van Dijk, TAA – Slot
“It’s clear that from Jan 1., maybe for you guys, things change a lot but they are in constant talks with the club and let’s wait and see what happens. As long as they keep performing like this, the head coach is happy,” the Liverpool boss told a news conference.
Liverpool sat seven points clear at the top of the table at the time, with the trio central to their title charge.
Dec. 30, 2024: Trent’s celebration ‘tells you enough’ – Slot
After scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal in their rampant 5-0 win over West Ham, Alexander-Arnold made a chirping gesture with his hand which appeared to be in reference to the intense speculation over his future at the club.
When asked about Alexander-Arnold’s celebration, Slot said: “No, I don’t think it’s negative at all. He’s playing really well, scored a great goal and the way he celebrated his goal probably tells you enough. I don’t think I have to say much more about it.
Dec. 31, 2024: Liverpool rebuff Real Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold approach
Liverpool rejected an approach from Madrid to sign the England international in the January transfer window, sources told ESPN.
Sources told ESPN those advances were quickly rebuffed by the Premier League leaders and no official bid was made.
Jan. 1, 2025: Salah, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk able to explore transfers
The start of the January transfer window means Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are free to explore moves away from the club ahead of the expiry of their respective contracts in the summer.
Footballers with six months or less remaining on their contracts are able to negotiate with non-English clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement that would see them join a new team one day after the expiry of their deal.
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Nicol: Liverpool fans shouldn’t be angry if Alexander-Arnold joins Real Madrid
Steve Nicol and Craig Burley discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential move to Real Madrid.
Jan. 3, 2025: Alexander-Arnold ‘fully committed’ to Liverpool despite Madrid interest – Slot
Asked whether he could categorically rule out Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool in January, Slot said: “I can tell you that he’s playing on Sunday. I think everybody saw how great of a first half of season he had, how much he is here, how much he wants to win here.
“He played an incredible game against West Ham. I think we all saw the pass he gave for the second goal to Mo [Salah]. I see him on the training ground every day, working his a— off, so he’s fully committed to us.”
Jan. 6, 2025: Salah posts cryptic snap with Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk
The photo showed Salah standing over a free-kick alongside teammates Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk.
All three players are out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season and, ahead of kick-off in their clash against Manchester United, a new banner was unveiled on the Kop depicting the trio alongside the words: “[Liverpool owners] FSG give Mo & Co their dough.”
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) January 6, 2025
March, 2025: Real Madrid optimistic over move but no deal agreed
The LaLiga side are “very optimistic” about signing Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer, a source told ESPN, although an agreement with the England international has not been finalised.
The two parties have been in talks for months and Madrid are confident there will be no problem in concluding a deal, with just the final details, and a signature, lacking, the source said.
