Real Madrid are still trying to convince Liverpool to let Trent Alexander-Arnold join them early and are hoping their interest in Florian Wirtz will help their cause
17:40, 29 May 2025
Florian Wirtz is snubbing Bayern Munich to join Liverpool
Florian Wirtz is snubbing Bayern Munich to join Liverpool(Image: 2025 Pau Barrena)
Real Madrid are still hopeful they can secure Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of time for free - and it's now rumoured they might use their interest in Florian Wirtz as a bargaining chip to get Liverpool on side.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, is set to join Los Blancos on a free transfer this summer in what's essentially football's worst kept secret.
However, the Spanish heavyweights are eager for him to join them before his Anfield contract runs out next month so he can play in the upcoming Club World Cup.
Liverpool are firm that they won't let Alexander-Arnold go early without compensation, meaning Real could be without their star summer signing in the States.
But the situation might shift due to Real's interest in Wirtz. As per Sport Witness, there's 'a game' between Real Madrid and the hotly pursued Bayer Leverkusen ace, who appears to be heading to Liverpool.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool kisses the emblem of Liverpool on his shirt as he celebrates as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to sign for Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)
Until a deal is sealed, Real Madrid hold 'hope' they can swoop in - especially since the player has a prior connection with their new gaffer, Xabi Alonso, reports the Mirror.
The report further speculates that Real Madrid's involvement in the race for Wirtz might just be a tactic to spook Liverpool into releasing Alexander-Arnold early.
The tactic has been interpreted as a possible attempt to unsettle Liverpool into giving up their homegrown right-back without a transfer fee, allowing him to join his prospective new team ahead of the Club World Cup kickoff in early June.
Trent Alexander-Arnold before a Liverpool game
Trent Alexander-Arnold ran his contract down(Image: Clive Rose)
However, the actual reasoning remains unclear. Meanwhile, Liverpool seems to be leading the chase for Wirtz, outpacing Bayern Munich's interest.
Alexander-Arnold received a warm farewell from the Reds' fans during their Premier League trophy lift, a stark contrast to the jeers he faced from some Anfield supporters mere weeks prior.
Choked with emotion, Alexander-Arnold expressed: "I didn't know what to expect at Anfield after what happened a few weeks ago. To get the reception that I got means more than anything to me."
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He added, "I hope that one day the fans of this club will be able to recognise the hard work and everything I've done for this team. There wasn't a second where I didn't think about this team.
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"I've loved every single minute of it. It goes down as the best day of my life for me."