On Monday renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano delivered a bombshell to Liverpool supporters, revealing that Real Madrid were preparing the way to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The homegrown 25-year-old is out of contract in the summer of 2025 and is just about to enter the final 12 months of his current deal.
With the clock ticking down on the England international’s contract, Liverpool fans could be forgiven for worrying about the Anfield icon’s long-term prospects at the club.
If no new deal is agreed before the end of the summer then new sporting director Richard Hughes could be forced into a sale, instead of losing the right back for nothing next year.
However, according to Romano, that is exactly what the 14-time champions of Europe are planning.
Having had significant success in the free transfer market in recent seasons, Madrid are reported to be keen on adding Alexander-Arnold once his terms expire.
Long-time right back Dani Carvajal has turned 32 and his Madrid contract expires next summer, meaning the timing for an Alexander-Arnold deal couldn’t be any better from the Spanish side’s perspective.
Kylian Mbappe
Los Blancos have signed David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger in recent seasons and are about to land Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain in a wallet-busting deal.
It would be tempting for any player to join that array of talent, with Madrid also boasting Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Trent’s great England friend Jude Bellingham.
However, before the full back thinks any further about whether he’d like to move to the Santiago Bernabeu, he would do well to take note of Emmanuel Petit’s warning.
The French World Cup winner has suggested that Trent would be HAPPIER if he stayed with Liverpool and suggested that the defender has one particular flaw in his game that means Madrid fans might not appreciate him fully.
PETIT TO ALEXANDER-ARNOLD: STAY IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE
While Trent’s game going forward has never been under question, he has struggled at times as a pure defender, with his midfielder’s instincts meaning he is always better attacking than holding the fort.
That is something he ought to consider, according to Arsenal double-winner Petit, who also played for Real’s arch-rivals Barcelona.
“For generations, hardly any English players have gone abroad,” Petit told Grosvenor Sports. “Is it time for Trent to look for a new challenge? Personally, I’d like to think he will take more responsibility next season and relish his leadership role.
“Sometimes, the grass is not greener and I don’t have the feeling that Trent will support the pressure from Real Madrid. He’s in a cocoon at Liverpool, surrounded by love and support and will rarely miss a game.
“If he plays like he does defensively at Real Madrid, I don’t think the fans will accept that, too, so he may be better off staying in his comfort zone.”
