Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed his summer departure from Anfield on Monday with Real Madrid his likely destination
Real Madrid are looking to wrap up a deal for Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold who announced he will leave the Reds this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool have reportedly been told that Real Madrid want to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in time for the Club World Cup in early June. The Reds‘ vice-captain is poised to bid farewell to his boyhood club this summer, with a transfer to Real Madrid on a free transfer expected to be finalised after over 20 years at Anfield.
The versatile full-back revealed his plans via his social media channels at 10am on Monday morning. It signals the conclusion of an extraordinarily successful stint with Liverpool during which he secured every major trophy available.
In total, Alexander-Arnold has won eight major trophies while on Merseyside, including two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
The Echo understands that the prospect of a move to Real Madrid as a free agent started to become a real consideration in March 2024 by those outside of the player’s inner circle. It is understood that a move to the Spanish capital might appeal to a character as fiercely ambitious as he is about his own career.
And with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu expected to be completed soon, journalist Juan Castro, who works for Spanish newspaper Marca, has claimed that Real want a deal agreed ahead of their assault at this summer’s Club World Cup in America.
“It was expected,” he told Sky Sports News on Monday. “All the Madridiasts were ready to welcome Alexander-Arnold for about a month. They were ready to make this announcement.
“Real Madrid will try to get Liverpool to allow Alexander-Arnold to play for them in the Club World Cup. I don’t think it’s going to be easy because his contract ends at the end of June.
“So that is interesting for Real Madrid, as they have no defenders. Everybody is injured in the defensive line at Real Madrid!”
Speaking about his departure, Alexander-Arnold said: “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season.
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
“I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.”