Chelsea are keeping an eye on Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Blues’ boss Xabi Alonso eager to be reunited with him at Stamford Bridge. Reports in Spain say Los Blancos could consider a good offer for the 28-year-old if his circumstances do not improve in the next few months.
According to the claims, Alexander-Arnold is happy to be at Real Madrid and has not asked to leave the club. There have been no talks between the parties, and the England international’s aim is to regain a regular starting position at the Santiago Bernabeu under Jose Mourinho. Alexander-Arnold has fallen down the pecking order at the Spanish giants this season, playing only five games in La Liga and starting just three of them, with summer signing Denzel Dumfries being preferred at right-back.
Mourinho has even played midfielder Federico Valverde in the role in Sunday’s 4-1 home win over Sevilla. The interest from Alonso’s men comes at a time when the Blues are short at right-back, with Reece James again ruled out with an injury. The 26-year-old captain had to have minor knee surgery after picking up the problem in training earlier this month and is expected to be sidelined for up to three months. This means he may not return until around mid-January.
Alonso knows Alexander-Arnold, having been his coach at Real Madrid in 2025-26 before leaving the club last January. The manager often uses Pedro Neto at right wing-back this season, while Malo Gusto and Marco Palestra are also options. Other outlets reported that Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City were all circling Alexander-Arnold, while one claimed that Alonso’s men are now first in line. A move would not be easy as Alexander-Arnold’s deal in Spain runs until June 2031.
‘Not Easy to Leave Two Quality Right-Backs on the Bench’: Jose Mourinho Explains Trent Alexander-Arnold Snub
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Mourinho’s latest team news has only added to the confusion around Alexander-Arnold in Spain. He left both of his specialist right-backs on the bench ahead of Sunday’s game against Sevilla, starting Valverde in the role instead. After the match, the Portuguese boss revealed it was a difficult decision to leave them out but praised his midfielder as “one of the most versatile players in football”.
Valverde started at right-back for the first time this season and was widely applauded by the Spanish press for a defensively assured display. The snub was the latest bit in Alexander-Arnold’s situation at Madrid, after injuries hampered his first season there following his move from Liverpool in June 2025.
Dumfries, who joined from Inter Milan this summer, looks set to pip Alexander-Arnold to the post as Mourinho’s first-choice right-back.