Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid has been officially confirmed.
Trent announced he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season earlier in May, bringing an end to his 20-year journey with the Merseyside club, having joined them at the age of just six.
Alexander-Arnold received massive backlash from Liverpool supporters, who felt betrayed by the way the player ran his contract down to leave on a free transfer, financially hurting his boyhood club.
But, as it turns out, Real Madrid’s urgency to sign the player before the Club World Cup has allowed the club to generate a significant fee from Trent’s move.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Michael Edwards hailed as Liverpool set to receive £8.5m for Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool’s chief executive of football Michael Edwards is known for being one of the smartest minds in football.
And he has once again shown his ‘genius‘ by negotiating a significant fee out of Real Madrid for the right-back, despite the player being a free agent.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid will pay a transfer fee of approximately £8.5 million to the English club to ensure Trent’s availability for the Club World Cup.
🚨⚪️ Understand Real Madrid to pay transfer fee around €10m to Liverpool to have Trent Alexander-Arnold at the Club World Cup.
Real will also cover his salary for June and July as part of the agreement with Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/Y4lCeqsadX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2025
View Tweet
Michael Edwards has played a massive role in Liverpool’s resurgence
Widely regarded as one of the best in football management, Edwards is currently in his second stint at Liverpool.
He previously served as sporting director from 2016 to 2022, playing a vital role in assembling the squad for Jurgen Klopp that won major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.
During his first tenure, Edwards made several shrewd signings that helped shape Liverpool’s success, including Andy Robertson from Hull City for just £8 million, Mohamed Salah from Roma for £34 million, and Sadio Mane from Southampton for £34 million, all of whom became crucial to the team.
Player From Club Fee Paid
Mohamed Salah AS Roma £34m
Sadio Mane Southampton £34m
Andy Robertson Hull City £8m
Virgil van Dijk Southampton £75m
Alisson Becker AS Roma £66.8m
Fabinho AS Monaco £39m
Diogo Jota Wolves £41m
Luis Díaz FC Porto £37.5m
Gini Wijnaldum Newcastle United £25m
Joel Matip Schalke 04 (Free) Free
Some of Michael Edwards signings for Liverpool
Edwards also excelled in negotiating deals, which was seen with some of the outgoing transfers.
His most notable sale was Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £142 million, a fee that enabled the Reds to sign Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.
Other smart sales included Mamadou Sakho to Crystal Palace for £26 million, Rhian Brewster to Sheffield United for £23.5 million, Danny Ings to Southampton for £20 million, and Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth for £19 million, all considered excellent deals for players with limited first-team involvement.
Player To Club Sale Fee
Philippe Coutinho Barcelona £142 million
Rhian Brewster Sheffield United £23.5 million
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth £19 million
Jordon Ibe Bournemouth £15 million
Mamadou Sakho Crystal Palace £26 million
Danny Ings Southampton £20 million
Harry Wilson Fulham £12 million
Taiwo Awoniyi Union Berlin £6.5 million
Marko Grujic FC Porto £10.5 million
Some of Liverpool’s outgoing transfers under Michael Edwards
Edwards along with Richard Hughes are now laying the foundation for another successful era ahead of this summer transfer window.
Liverpool have already agreed a deal for Jeremie Frimpong and are in talks to sign Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as well.
The Reds are also leading the race to sign Florian Wirtz, while reports also suggest that Liverpool have opened talks to sign Hugo Ekitike.
With his track record at Liverpool, it is not surprising to see why so many top clubs have tried to hire Edwards in recent years.
His expertise is recognised even beyond Europe, with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal showing an interest in appointing Edwards.