![\"Trent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL-MADRID-OSASUNA.jpg\")
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\nTrent Alexander-Arnold had already announced he was joining Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract expired, before Liverpool chiefs told him he’d be going sooner than he thought(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Trent Alexander-Arnold was “surprised” to discover that Real Madrid had forked out \u00a310million to prematurely end his Liverpool contract<\/a> to enable him to play at the FIFA Club World Cup – learning they had done so as the Reds celebrated their Premier League<\/a> title triumph.<\/p>\n The England right-back was already set to depart on a free transfer to Madrid, a move that sparked outrage among many Reds supporters, upset that a homegrown talent and one of their most valuable assets was leaving the club for nothing.<\/p>\n And during the club’s end-of-season open-top bus parade as they celebrated their Premier League title win, Fenway Sports Group’s football chief executive Michael Edwards informed Alexander-Arnold that Madrid had made their move. As first reported by The Telegraph, <\/a>Edwards, Liverpool<\/a> sporting director Richard Hughes, and FSG president Mike Gordon broke the news to Alexander-Arnold that his switch to the Bernabeu was being brought forward by a month.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Hugo Ekitike sent new Alexander Isak warning over Liverpool role: \u2018You have to develop\u2019<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool sent Alexander Isak reality check as Sweden boss says ‘it’s a risk to play him’<\/a><\/p>\n The Spanish giants had already secured Alexander-Arnold’s signature for when his Liverpool contract ended, but were eager to bring him in for the Club World Cup, which kicked off in June – before his contract was up. The \u00a310million expenditure was significant, but with almost \u00a3100m in prize money for the tournament winner, Los Blancos decided it was a cost worth paying.<\/p>\n In the end, Madrid only made it to the semifinals, but at least Liverpool received some compensation for Alexander-Arnold, who they had nurtured since he joined the academy at the tender age of six.<\/p>\n Liverpool secured the services of Dutch international Jeremie Frimpong just days later, signing him from Bayer Leverkusen to be Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, kickstarting a record-breaking summer transfer splurge – that culminated with the \u00a3125m deadline day signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle<\/a> United.<\/p>\n Like Liverpool fans with Alexander-Arnold, Newcastle supporters were left furious with Isak’s antics before his exit. However, former Liverpool icon Dietmar Hamann reckons the circumstances surrounding their respective exits cannot be compared.<\/p>\n “I don’t think you can compare Alexander Isak to Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> because Trent didn’t do anything wrong,” Hamann told CoinPoker. “If Liverpool wanted to keep him, they could have offered him an improved contract a year earlier, and he probably would have signed it.<\/p>\n “The fact that they didn’t, and he let his contract run out, means he’s free to go where he wants.”<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
<\/p>\n