Dani Carvajal has seemingly confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be joining Real Madrid when his Liverpool contract expires
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Trent Alexander-Arnold sits on the bench as Liverpool faces Brighton
Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Dani Carvajal has seemingly confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be joining Real Madrid after insisting he does not fear competing with the departing Liverpool vice-captain for a starting role at the Bernabeu. The England international confirmed earlier this month that he would not be signing a new contract with his boyhood club.
While his switch to Real Madrid has not yet been confirmed, Arne Slot previously alluded to the fact that everyone is well-aware that Alexander-Arnold will be joining the La Liga giants.
Real Madrid had tried to sign Alexander-Arnold back in January, only to be immediately rebuffed by Liverpool, with their approach coming after Carvajal had suffered an ACL injury the previous October.
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The Spanish outfit would like to sign Alexander-Arnold prior to the end of his contract, in order for the 26-year-old to compete for the entirety of the inaugural, expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Meanwhile, Carvajal is hoping to return from injury in time to play in the tournament in the United States.
And speaking to reporters in Spain, Carvajal confirmed that Real Madrid look set to sign the Liverpool defender as he addressed his likely new rival for a starting role.
"Competition with Trent Alexander-Arnold? That's clear,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. “It hasn't been made official yet, but it seems so.
"Fear? We don't talk about fear here. We'll be teammates. Competition improves both of us and brings out the best in each of us."
While Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid has not been confirmed, the La Liga giants have completed the signing of Liverpool target Dean Huijsen from AFC Bournemouth. And Carvajal is excited by the signing of his compatriot.
"We haven't spoken to him yet; he had a game today,” he said. “He's a great signing and a good player. We welcome him, and he'll help us a lot."
Meanwhile, there is set to be a new manager in the dugout at Real Madrid ahead of Alexander-Arnold’s expected arrival, after it was confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti would be leaving the club to take over as Brazil manager.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso, who has already confirmed he will be leaving Bayer Leverkusen, is set to take over from the Italian.
And having played alongside his compatriot for club and country, Carvajal has backed Alonso to be a success in the Bernabeu dugout.
"I don't know if it's official or not. It seems that it will be Xabi Alonso who will join Real Madrid,” he confirmed. “I haven't had the chance to speak with Xabi.
“He knows the club better than anyone. He's been a player and has defended the club's badge for many years.
“He knows what it's like to be a Real Madrid player and I think that's also a plus for becoming a coach.
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“Time will tell (if he can be a success, no? If Xabi Alonso is the right person to turn Real Madrid around this year, in which we haven't won any of the three major titles.
“But that's football. Results are what determine the future of coaches and players. They're cycles. I've experienced exceptional moments here and also moments when we haven't won anything.
“Xabi Alonso is going to do very well and is coming off two fantastic seasons with Bayer Leverkusen."