Gary Neville has been left somewhat red-faced after Real Madrid decided to pay a fee to snag Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool a month before his contract ended. Alexander-Arnold has wrapped up a six-year contract with the Spanish giants, having been within the last six weeks of his time at Anfield.
Madrid's determination to land the England right-back before his Liverpool contract lapsed was evident—as it clearly didn't want to miss the chance for him to feature in the imminent Club World Cup stateside.
Real Madrid, therefore, splurged an eye-watering £$13.5 million —a combination of an $11.4 million transfer fee along with the rest covering his due wages—just to get their man ahead of schedule.
Earlier on Sky Sports this month, Jamie Carragher openly speculated that Real might cough up a decent fee to have Alexander-Arnold available for the world stage tournament.
Carragher elaborated: "You're announcing it [Alexander-Arnold leaving] now to give Real Madrid the opportunity to maybe sign you for the Club World Cup, so that's what I was talking about a couple of weeks ago.
Challenging Carragher, Neville queried: "Would you take like $1 million if you were Liverpool for the Club World Cup?" Carragher, unimpressed by the figure, shot back: "Er, I think I'd want more than $1 million."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool, celebrates with Premier League trophy after his final appearance for Liverpool 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. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has sealed his move to Real Madrid (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Yet, Neville persisted, searching for a concrete number. "But would you take, would you take whatever price it would be to let him go and play in that tournament?" prodded the ex-United skipper.
"I think if it was about $5 million or $10 million," Carragher said before Neville erupted with laughter. Sky presenter Dave Jones joined in, asking Carragher: "What is it, a hundred million to win the thing?". "Exactly," replied the icon from Liverpool. "Have you seen how much money it is to win it?".
"So you could help a major European rival by helping them win the thing?" Jones probed further. Carragher elaborated: "Right, well, but if they're going to win a hundred million and he's going to help them, because don't forget, they haven't got any right-backs.
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"The right-back they usually field there [midfielder Federico Valverde] isn't actually a natural right-back. It's not simply about adding another player. Just give us the money."
Neville wrapped up their discussion with: "Well, the price has just been set, Madrid," as the panel, including Micah Richards, shared a chuckle.
In the end, Real Madrid deemed the price acceptable to ensure that Alexander-Arnold would join Xabi Alonso's squad for the tournament. The Spanish titans commence their conquest against Saudi Pro League victors Al-Hilal in Miami come Tuesday, June 18.