**Liverpool**’s Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid much earlier than expected after an agreement was made between both clubs.
The England international announced he would leave his boyhood club at the start of the month during a time when rumours had already begun circulating about a move to the Spanish capital.
Now, Madrid have proposed an offer of €10m, or £8.4m, to sign the full-back on Sunday as Los Blancos wants him for the upcoming ClubWorld Cup****.
The LaLiga club could have waited until June 30, where they would have acquired Alexander-Arnold for free, but decided to pay a premium for an early contract termination.
Newly-appointed Xabi Alonso will also join Madrid on Sunday when the transfer window opens, with Alexander-Arnold his first signing with the club.
The 26-year-old will sign a six-year deal to officially become a Madrid player by the conclusion of this week and the profit will help Liverpool offset a slice of their summer spending plans.
Arne Slot is eyeing up big moves for Alonso’s former players in Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, the latter travelled to England for a medical earlier this week.
Madrid’s first game of the Club World Cup is against Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18.
Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool at the start of the month was met with frustration from many Liverpool supporters, with some booing him in a home game against Arsenal when he came on as a substitute.
But when making his final appearance at Anfield last Sunday, he received an ovation which led the defender to an outburst of emotions.
Fifa was quick to amend the decision to not hold a transfer window before the Club World Cup but, to teams playing the competition, introduced one that runs from June 1 to June 30.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to join the England squad on Sunday for a World Cup qualifier against Andorra, with a friendly against Senegal following three days later.
A move to the Spanish capital will then be pursued as preparations for the Club World Cup, which the winner could receive up to £100m, get underway with his new club.