Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman believes Trent Alexander-Arnold will be a "superstar" if he swaps Anfield for Real Madrid.
The Reds vice-captain has been heavily linked with a move to the La Liga giants throughout the season, with the rumours ramping up over the last few days. Reports emerged on Tuesday claiming that Alexander-Arnold is close to reaching an agreement that would see him leave Liverpool and join Madrid in the summer.
The Reds right-back is out of contract at the end of the season and is able to negotiate with Madrid and other clubs outside England over signing as a free agent when his deal expires.
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McManaman left Liverpool in 1999 to sign for Madrid on a free transfer, and Alexander-Arnold could do the same in a few months' time. Michael Owen made the move for £8million in 2004.
The former Reds winger McManaman is backing Alexander-Arnold to be a success if the highly-tipped move to the Santiago Bernabeu materialises.
"If he [Alexander-Arnold] does choose to go to Real Madrid and he does choose to forge a new adventure with a new language and a new lifestyle, all credit to him," said McManaman in an interview with BBC Sport.
"It is a fantastic opportunity for him, if he does go, and no doubt he will be a superstar there as well."
If Alexander-Arnold was to depart, Conor Bradley could step into the England international's shoes as the starting right-back at Liverpool. McManaman has expressed his wish to see Bradley follow in Alexander-Arnold's footsteps and be a success at Anfield.
"[Bradley is] a completely different player to Trent Alexander-Arnold," said McManaman.
"Trent's numbers in an attacking sense are absolutely fantastic, but Liverpool fans and everybody will hope that Conor Bradley will be able to fill that void.
"You have a standard level and, every year, you try to improve and get better and better.
"We all hope that Conor Bradley achieves that and becomes the superstar that people are talking about when they talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold."