Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult debut season at Real Madrid after leaving Liverpool for the Spanish side in acrimonious circumstances this time last summer
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks on during a Real Madrid match
Trent Alexander-Arnold will face new competition next seasoon at Real Madrid(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold will seemingly face fresh competition at Real Madrid next season after the Spanish side reportedly reached an agreement to sign Denzel Dumfries. The Netherlands international is said to have a release clause as low as £17million, which they would trigger to finalise the transfer.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, had been set to become the sole right-back at the club this summer. Madrid have already confirmed that Dani Carvajal will depart when his contract runs out.
The Liverpool academy product competed with their captain following his arrival last summer. However, he eventually established himself as a regular in the starting line-up.
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The signing of Dumfries would now see Alexander-Arnold facing another challenge for his place. The 30-year-old is presumably not arriving to play second fiddle.
The Athletic reports that Madrid have identified Dumfries as their primary target at right-back. Personal terms are not expected to pose any difficulties, with the deal expected to be wrapped up and formally announced once Florentino Perez secures victory in the club's presidential election this weekend, a result he appears likely to achieve.
Other sources are reporting that Madrid have already struck an agreement with Dumfries, as of Tuesday evening. Much like the proposed signing of outgoing Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, the outcome hinges on this weekend's election result.
Both transfers will proceed only if Perez retains the presidency for an eighth term. Were rival candidate Enrique Riquelme to pull off a surprise victory, the fate of both deals would remain uncertain.
Jose Mourinho's proposed return as head coach is equally dependent on the election outcome. As such, Alexander-Arnold may yet find himself reprieved.
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However, the prospect of Riquelme unseating Perez, who has spent all but three years of this century at the helm of Madrid, appears remote. The 27-year-old will therefore be banking on Dumfries needing time to adapt to Spanish football, having never previously played outside of Italy and the Netherlands.
Alexander-Arnold himself acknowledged that settling in took some time, in an Instagram post shared at the conclusion of his debut campaign. Its caption reads: "Madridistas, you have welcomed me with open arms.
"From the first day I arrived, you have had my back. It took me a few months to find rhythm and settle in the new environment, but I feel completely at home now.
"I will take a good break and put the work in over the summer. I promise we will bring trophies back to this amazing club next season!"
He will equally be hoping for an injury-free second campaign at the club, having suffered two notable setbacks during his first. Alexander-Arnold featured 30 times across all competitions, which may well explain why Madrid are so eager to bring in another player in his position.