With the January transfer window around the corner, Manchester City continue to be linked with a host of players. It is clear that a rebuild is coming to Pep Guardiola’s squad next summer. That is one conclusion to draw from City’s stuttering 24/25 campaign. But now the world champions have been linked with one of the more unlikely transfers to pull off. They have been linked with a potential move for Trent Alexander-Arnold. While he would solve a need for Manchester City it’s a move I can’t ever see coming off for a variety of reasons.
Saikat Chatterjee has reported for [_CaughtOffside_](https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/12/07/manchester-city-open-talks-sign-trent-alexander-arnold/) that Manchester City are one of a host of clubs to begin talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold. The England international could be available on a free transfer this summer. Chatterjee adds that PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid all have an eye on signing Alexander-Arnold. Furthermore, Chatterjee adds that Liverpool is determined to sign Alexander-Arnold to a fresh contract extension.
#### The idea of Trent Alexander-Arnold playing for Manchester City is an exciting one but I can’t see it ever happening.
It is clear that a rebuild is coming to the Manchester City squad. This season looks to be a season too far for a host of City’s warriors. [Right-back](https://esteemedkompany.com/2024/12/02/has-manchester-city-found-their-solution-at-right-back-and-is-it-worth-making-a-move-in-january/) is one position where the champions will likely look to add a new face. On paper, Trent Alexander-Arnold would be the perfect player to bolster the right-back position for Pep Guardiola’s side. He is brilliant technically and his passing ability would immediately add a new weapon to Pep Guardiola’s system. But it is a move I can’t see happening for a variety of reasons.
Alexander-Arnold has risen through the ranks at Liverpool. He is almost the poster boy for their academy system. As we all know Manchester City and Liverpool have shared a fierce rivalry over recent seasons. Would Alexander-Arnold risk his standing with his boyhood club by signing for a rival? I don’t think he would. He’s a part of the fabric of Liverpool and has been crucial to their success under Jurgen Klopp. That’s just one reason why I can’t see him ever signing for Manchester City.
There is another reason. Saikat Chatterjee further reports that Alexander-Arnold may have his heart set on a move to Real Madrid. The England international is viewed by Real as their replacement for Dani Carvajal. This fact looks to be another reason why a City move for Alexander-Arnold is doomed to fall short.
As a player Trent Alexander-Arnold would add plenty to Pep Guardiola’s squad. He would solve their issues at right-back. That isn’t in question. But as listed above I do feel that City will be looking elsewhere for a new right-back. The possibility of Trent Alexander-Arnold playing for Manchester City just doesn’t seem to be a realistic one.