Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham has given his instant verdict on the news of Trent Alexander-Arnold's early move to the Spanish side after they agreed a deal with Liverpool.
On Friday, it was confirmed Real Madrid and Liverpool had agreed to a deal worth €10M ($11.3M/£8.4M), which will allow for Alexander-Arnold's early release from his expiring Reds contract. Come Sunday, the 26-year-old will be a Real Madrid player, allowing him to play in the Club World Cup, which is set to begin on June 15.
He will also link up with former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who was recently confirmed as Real Madrid's new manager following his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
And Alexander-Arnold's close friend Bellingham has already given his instant reaction on social media to the news. The Real Madrid midfielder liked the club's official announcement of Alexander-Arnold's impending early arrival in the Spanish capital.
Confirming the news of the agreement between Real Madrid and Liverpool, the Spanish side wrote in a statement: "Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement that will keep Trent Alexander-Arnold at our club for the next six seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031.
"The 26-year-old English international joins our team after winning nine titles with Liverpool: 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 2 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, and 1 FA Super Cup.
"Alexander-Arnold, who has spent his entire football career at Liverpool, has been a full England international since 2018, with whom he has played in two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and one European Championship (2024).
"On an individual level, he has been named in the FIFA FIFPro World 11 once (2020), in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season twice (2018/19 and 2021/22), and in the Premier League All-Star Team three times (2018/19, 2019/20, and 2021/22).
"He was also named the Premier League's Young Player of the Year in 2019/20. Alexander-Arnold will play with Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States starting June 14."
Jeremie Frimpong is set to sign for Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong is set to sign for Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool meanwhile has moved swiftly to replace Alexander-Arnold. Since the news of his departure, they have tied right-back Conor Bradley down to a long-term deal and look set to sign Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong.
The Dutch defender reportedly flew to England for a medical this week in a deal that will cost the Reds $35million (£29.5m) due to a release clause in Frimpong's contract.