Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly closing in on a move to Real Madrid when his Liverpool contract expires
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Updated 13:07, 25 Mar 2025
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract situation might be impacted by Conor Bradley's rise
(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Real Madrid are reportedly close to finalising a deal to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer when his Liverpool contract expires this summer. The Reds vice-captain has long been the subject of interest from the La Liga giants, who have kept a close eye on his contract situation at Anfield.
They saw an approach to sign Alexander-Arnold in January knocked back by Liverpool on New Year’s Eve, with the Reds adamant that they had no interest in letting the full-back leave mid-season.
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But it is looking increasingly likely that the 26-year-old will now leave his boyhood club at the end of the season, with the full-back having had an official offer on the table from the Spanish giants for a number of weeks. He has been free to agree a pre-contract agreement with any overseas club since January 1.
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While the deal is believed to be moving along, it is not done yet as Liverpool are yet to be informed. Potential buyers are obliged to keep the Reds informed and tell them if an agreement has been reached.
Liverpool have remained in talks with the player’s representatives throughout the season in hope of agreeing a new contract at Anfield.
As has always been the case, the Reds don't comment publicly on contract negotiations, while when approached for comment by the ECHO, a Real Madrid spokesperson said: “We never comment on players that are not ours.”
Alexander-Arnold is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, having been forced off in the Reds’ Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
While he is facing a prolonged stint on the sidelines, Arne Slot has previously admitted that the club expect the defender to return before the end of the season.
Slot will offer an injury update next week ahead of the Merseyside derby, with his pre-match press conference set to take place on either Monday or Tuesday. He will likely also be quizzed about the latest reports regarding Alexander-Arnold’s future.
It remains to be seen just how involved the defender will be in the run-in, but should the Liverpool vice-captain leave the club, he will look to do so as a two-time Premier League champion. The Reds currently boast a 12-point lead at the top of the table with nine games left to play.
Since making his debut for Liverpool in October 2016, Alexander-Arnold has made 349 appearances for the club he joined as a six-year-old, winning every major honour and returning 22 goals and 86 assists.
Alexander-Arnold has previously refused to be drawn on speculation about his future, only addressing his contract situation once during the 2024/25 season.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone back in September, he said: "I have always said I want to captain the club, that is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, (but) whether that happens is out of my hands.
"Look, I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. And this one won’t be either.
"I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say.
"The most important thing is always trophies, if I am honest. I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite. So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win, then that is what drives me.
"We were close to the title last season and we got a cup. The quad was on for a while, I suppose, the signs were there. This season we are looking really good, it is still early days, but we need a lot of consistency and to beat a lot of teams over the course of this season.
"Then you have the other cups, the Champions League and everything that comes around it. It will be difficult but we are looking to win as many trophies as we can."
While Liverpool are well-placed to win the Premier League this season, should Alexander-Arnold indeed join long-term admirers Real Madrid, he will be signing for a club that he has lost to in in two Champions League finals in recent years in 2018 and 2022.