As uncertainty lingers over the futures of Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk, scrutiny is mounting on Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, following Tuesday morning’s revelation that Trent Alexander-Arnold has verbally agreed to join Real Madrid this summer.
It was the news Liverpool fans had long braced for, and while the club remains in pole position for a second Premier League title in five years, a summer of unprecedented squad reshuffling now appears inevitable. While many of the Anfield faithful may question their star right-back’s loyalty to the club that nurtured him, criticism is also being directed at the owners, who have yet to demonstrate a firm financial commitment to securing new deals for three of Arne Slot’s most pivotal players.
However, fresh reports now suggest that Liverpool did, in fact, offer Alexander-Arnold a lucrative new contract - one that was anything but modest in their attempts to keep the 26-year-old at his boyhood club.
trent alexander-arnold liverpool bournemouth Related
Liverpool Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold Decides to Join Real Madrid
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to join Real Madrid, although nothing has been signed yet.
What Liverpool Offered Alexander-Arnold Before Real Madrid Deal
The right-back was set to become the highest-paid Englishman in the Premier League
According to TBR Football, the club made a substantial effort to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield, offering to make him the highest-paid English player in the Premier League. That title is currently held by Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford, who both earn £300,000 per week.
Had he accepted, Alexander-Arnold would have ranked among the league’s top five highest earners. The same report also claims that Liverpool have been kept informed throughout the discussions between their star right-back and Real Madrid to avoid any potential bad blood.
The Premier League's Highest-Paid Players if Alexander-Arnold Accepted Liverpool Contract
Rank
1.
2.
=3.
=3.
5.
=6.
=6.
=6.
=6.
Additionally, both Alexander-Arnold and Los Blancos had reportedly agreed to keep the deal under wraps until its official confirmation in the summer. However, Spanish media have already leaked details, revealing that the defender is set to link up with England teammate Jude Bellingham at the Bernabeu from the 2025/26 season onwards.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt & Capology (correct as of 25/03/2025)