Summary
Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract at Liverpool is swiftly running out, and Spanish giants Real Madrid are desperate to bring the player to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Former Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen once sent a message to the 26-year-old amid the interest.
The Reds may struggle to keep their right-back, given a lack of progress on talks regarding a contract renewal.
A Liverpool fan’s worst nightmare could soon become reality, as star academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold edges closer than ever to an Anfield exit. Supporters have watched the clock tick down on his contract for quite some time, but the 26-year-old has made no move to extend his agreement, and Spanish behemoths Real Madrid seem dead set on making him theirs this summer.
This will be a case of Deja Vu for many, as it's not the first occasion on which a beloved Reds' asset has jumped ship to join Los Blancos. Alexander-Arnold could be set to follow in the footsteps of an ex-Ballon d'Or winner - the only one in Liverpool's history - and he once gave a look-in to what life is like after making such a move.
Michael Owen Sends Message to Alexander-Arnold
The Englishman is wanted by Real Madrid
Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO in December 2024, former England international Owen shed some advice on his fellow compatriot, amid the growing interest from Real Madrid in his services. He said:
"Would I be open for a chat? Of course, if he reached out for me, yeah. I have lots of people that I speak to.
"There's no good or bad decision really. The only good or bad decision is the after time, in 10 years. That's the only reason you'll ever say it is a good or bad decision. Whereas when you live it, it's that way. I decided that at the time and I can't change it. From Trent's point of view, he'll make his decision based on all the facts in front of him, and that will be the right thing for him at this time.
"That's what he'll have to live with forever, and I'm sure he'll be comfortable with that. If other people have this opinion in the future, as I say, these after-timers, then, whatever. Just whatever. It doesn't matter."
Owen was the second to swap life in Merseyside for Madrid, and he did so in 2004 - three years after winning the Ballon d'Or. He donned the number 11 in the star-studded Galacticos outfit, featuring alongside the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham.
Owen only featured 45 times for Real Madrid, scoring 16 goals, and he departed from the club the season after he arrived. Liverpool were interested in a return, but it was Newcastle who wrapped up a club-record deal at the time to seal the player's return to the English top-flight.
The Reds' fans ultimately weren't impressed when Owen made his decision to sign for Madrid. It's difficult to imagine the relationship improved much after either, especially given the forward ended up representing Liverpool's arch-rivals Manchester United later in his career.
Owen once admitted he never felt truly loved during his spell at Anfield - the same cannot be said for Alexander-Arnold, however. The Merseyside-born man helped his team to a memorable Champions League victory, and supporters may never be able to erase what happened after the iconic line of commentary, "corner taken quickly...".
But with Liverpool having just kick-started a new project with boss Arne Slot, the prospect of their model academy graduate walking away is sure to inflict a deep wound.
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How Likely is Alexander-Arnold to Sign for Real Madrid?
The right-back is yet to sign a new deal at Liverpool
Real Madrid have persisted with their interest for a reported two years, and with just a matter of months remaining on Alexander-Arnold's current agreement, they have grown more desperate in their pursuit.
The ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano revealed in a report to X (formerly Twitter) that an agreement was nearing "closer and closer", with all parties "confident".
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool Career Statistics
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Honours
Slot revealed in January that his right-back was "fully committed" to Liverpool, but not an inch of progress has been made on contract renewal talks since, despite proposals to make him the highest-paid player in the division. Meanwhile, sources in Spain reportedly suggest that a five-year opportunity at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham is also on the table for Alexander-Arnold.
It seems only something of a miracle could turn the 26-year-old's head away from an exit at this point, and he is looking increasingly likely to leave this summer.
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Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt.com - Correct as of 25/03/2025