Trent Alexander-Arnold
Image Credits: Getty Images
With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s announcement of his Liverpool exit, it’s only a matter of time before we see him in the white of Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold’s departure has divided Liverpool supporters. During his final Anfield appearance against Arsenal on Sunday, sections of the crowd booed him, while singing praise for Conor Bradley.
Initially, it seemed that Los Blancos would offer a compensation fee to the Anfield club to allow the 26-year-old to play at the Club World Cup.
Reports focused on a compensation fee, estimated between £850,000 and £1 million, which would cover Alexander-Arnold’s June wages and enable his registration during FIFA’s special pre-tournament window from June 1 to June 10.
However, Jason Burt of the Telegraph has now reported that Real Madrid have simply asked Liverpool to release Alexader-Arnold for FREE:
“Real Madrid have asked Liverpool to release Trent Alexander-Arnold for free so he can play in the group stages of the Club World Cup.”
“The Spanish giants have not made a financial offer to Liverpool and simply hope they will relent and allow the right-back to join them for nothing before his contract expires on June 30.”
It has been suggested that the Reds would be unwilling to accept the initial token fee of £1 million – so to ask Liverpool to release Alexander-Arnold for free seems mind-boggling.
The report adds that Madrid made contact with Liverpool last week after Alexander-Arnold announced his decision to leave, initially sparking expectations of a negotiation over a nominal compensation fee.
However, Real’s approach has so far been limited to asking for a free early release, with no concrete financial offer tabled.
If Liverpool refuse, Alexander-Arnold will be ineligible for Real’s group matches against Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and RB Salzburg, which take place before his contract ends.
The earliest he could feature would be in the knockout rounds, provided Liverpool grant permission for him to travel and Real register him in the special FIFA window between June 27 and July 3.
Speaking to reporters after the Arsenal stalemate, skipper Virgil van Dijk does not understand why any player would want to leave Anfield at this point in time:
“For me, there is no other place to be at this point,” the Reds skipper said.
“It has to be a big summer and I trust the club and the people who make the decisions to do the right thing.”
“As champions, it is a very difficult task to remain champions but I feel with additions we can make that step up.”
“It’s something to look forward to, it’s very exciting and it’s an exciting time to be associated with Liverpool.”
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