Trent Alexander-Arnold's dream switch to Real Madrid has not unfolded quite as planned, and former England striker Teddy Sheringham believes a transfer could breathe new life into his career
08:04, 10 Jun 2026Updated 08:09, 10 Jun 2026
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool arrives for the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on February 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been tipped for a move to Arsenal(Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)
Trent Alexander-Arnold's eagerly anticipated move to Real Madrid has not gone entirely to plan. But could a blockbuster transfer to Arsenal this summer reignite the 27-year-old's flagging career?
Former England striker Teddy Sheringham thinks it could. Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool in contentious circumstances last year, with lofty ambitions of nailing down the right-back berth in the Spanish capital, with even the Ballon d'Or reportedly in his sights.
However, he has struggled with both injury setbacks and inconsistent performances since arriving at the Bernabéu. His bid to permanently displace experienced campaigner Dani Carvajal in the starting XI fell short, and he was left out of Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.
Carvajal's expected exit had seemingly offered Alexander-Arnold hope of making the position his own next season. Yet his prospects in Madrid may have worsened considerably, with the club set to come under José Mourinho's stewardship and having agreed a deal to bring in Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries.
Arsenal, meanwhile, could be seeking reinforcements at right-back following injury-disrupted seasons for both Ben White and Jurrien Timber. Natural centre-half Cristhian Mosquera was regularly called upon to fill the void for Mikel Arteta's Premier League champions throughout the campaign.
Former Manchester United striker Sheringham believes that while a return to Liverpool seems unlikely for Alexander-Arnold, a controversial move to north London could be a possibility.
"Liverpool fans might not want him back, so it does narrow down where he could go, doesn't it," he told BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest World Cup odds. "He doesn't immediately strike me as an Arsenal player, to be fair. I think they're too strong and resilient and work as a proper back four unit. But they could make it work for him.
"Even if you have an organised back four with fantastic players, if you leave him on his own Trent looks all over the place, but that was true of Harry Maguire when Manchester United weren't playing well. If you did that to Tony Adams or Steve Bruce, they'd have looked shocking.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid has not gone how the former Liverpool defender will have planned.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid has not gone how the former Liverpool defender will have planned.(Image: (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images))
"If you put Trent in an organised, structured back four, and they work as a unit, that's what playing in a team like Arsenal is all about. If someone worked with Trent along those lines, coached him to get in the right position at the right times, then I'm sure he could improve in that position to give Arsenal that extra dimension that he brings to a team."
Alexander-Arnold departed Anfield with an impressive trophy haul accumulated over five years: two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the UEFA Super Cup. His debut campaign in Spain, however, yielded no silverware. Mourinho becomes the third manager Alexander-Arnold will work under since joining Madrid, following Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed at the turn of the year, and caretaker boss Alvaro Arbeloa. Despite the managerial changes, Alexander-Arnold has pledged to push on in Madrid, indicating he has no plans to leave anytime soon.
In an Instagram post at the end of the campaign, he wrote: "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.
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"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!"