Trent Alexander-Arnold has made a decision about his Real Madrid future ahead of the January transfer window
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports Trent Alexander-Arnold right-back of Real Madrid and England during the warm-up before the La Liga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de San Mames on December 3, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. Bilbao Basque Country Spain PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJosexBretonx originalFilename:bretonhernandez-athletic251203_npPie.jpg
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 after running down his Liverpool contract. Real paid a small fee of around €10 million to bring him in ahead of the Club World Cup.
His first season in Spain was disrupted by injuries. He made 30 appearances in all competitions.
Real also ended 2025-26 empty-handed. The club went a second consecutive season without a major trophy, and Jose Mourinho replaced Alvaro Arbeloa as coach.
Mourinho’s first summer back brought new competition at right-back. Real paid €20 million for Denzel Dumfries, the release clause in his Inter contract.
Dumfries has started seven of Madrid’s 12 games this season, against four starts for Alexander-Arnold. The England international also played in midfield against Inter in the Champions League, where the same report said he failed to convince.
His latest appearance came in El Clasico. Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday.
The 28-year-old played just one minute of the match. Mourinho brought him on in the 94th minute.
Mourinho started Federico Valverde at right-back and replaced him with Dumfries in the second half. That left Alexander-Arnold third in the order of right-backs, which will worry the Englishman.
The lack of minutes has fuelled talk of a quick return to the Premier League, with reports that he is considering his future at the Bernabeu. Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are among the clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.
However, The Athletic, citing sources close to the player, said he is not unhappy or considering an exit, and intends to fight for his place.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has now ruled out a January exit. Asked on talkSPORT Breakfast whether Alexander-Arnold could leave Madrid, he said: “No, not in January.”
Balague described the player’s mindset. “What he’s feeling right now is ‘Okay, it’s not my time, but it will be my time, I will prepare for my time’. That’s how he’s taking the whole thing.”
He also acknowledged the competition for the position.
“But there are two ahead of him in the same position (Valverde and Dumfries) and in fact, Eder Militao was also used as a right back against Sevilla. So is he fourth choice? He’s certainly third it seems.”
Balague said Mourinho has told the player to keep working.
“But he’s not down, he’s been told by Mourinho to keep at it, he will have his moment.”
He added that Alexander-Arnold has been unlucky when he has started. “It’s been unfair that when he has played from the start, he has played in the midfield because of the absentees.”
Balague ended with a clear message. “But in any case, he’s got to keep fighting and he wants to succeed at Real Madrid, so he’s got no intention of leaving.”
Alexander-Arnold is under contract at Real Madrid until 2031.
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Gilberto Mora of Mexico gestures during the FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball 2026 match between Mexico and Ecuador. Mexico hosted Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico Soccer 2026: Mexico 2:0 Ecuador - FIFA World Cup 2026 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAf196 20260630_zsp_f196_043 Copyright: xMartinxFonsecax
Gilberto Mora of Mexico gestures during the FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball 2026 match between Mexico and Ecuador. Mexico hosted Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico Soccer 2026: Mexico 2:0 Ecuador - FIFA World Cup 2026 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAf196 20260630_zsp_f196_043 Copyright: xMartinxFonsecax