A move to Real Madrid looks inevitable for Trent Alexander-Arnold, although his new club’s fans might not be too thrilled to learn it may not have been his first choice for a move to Spain.
After months of speculation, Alexander-Arnold’s exit from Liverpool looks to be just a matter of time now, with reports of a move to Madrid coming to a head on Tuesday. Although there is no confirmation from either Anfield or the Bernabeu, various outlets are already claiming that a deal has been finalized, or is close to completion.
That would mean the 26-year-old has just nine games remaining as a Liverpool player - likely fewer considering he is currently out injured. Arne Slot will be keen not to have Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk go down the same route, with their contracts also set to expire at the end of the season.
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A move to Madrid has been touted for some time now for Alexander-Arnold, with the Spanish giant even making a play for him during the January transfer window. Although that bid was knocked back by Liverpool, it did seem to set the wheels in motion for Real to get their man.
Alexander-Arnold will no doubt be given the hero’s welcome that has been afforded to plenty of signings before him, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, but fans of his new club perhaps won’t be best pleased with his comments on their biggest rivals.
Back in 2020, in an interview with Alastair Campbell for GQ, Alexander-Arnold made an admission about Barcelona that might not go down too well at the Bernabeu.
"My favorite team besides Liverpool? Would be Barca," he said. "I feel they have kind of the same values and beliefs as Liverpool. "They like to bring players through the academy. I grew up watching Messi and that special Barcelona team with Iniesta, Xavi, Henry Eto'o."
We wouldn’t be bringing that up at your unveiling if we were you, Trent. Then again, the right-back has shown that his mind can be changed, considering in the same interview he also seemed to suggest he didn’t have any interest in moving away from Liverpool.
"It’s not something I’ve ever thought about,” Alexander-Arnold added. “I’ve always loved Liverpool. I’ve always supported them. I’ve always played for them. So, yeah, still now, I wouldn’t sit there in my room and daydream about playing somewhere else.”
