On the 5th of May 2025, Liverpool’s long-term right back Trent Alexander-Arnold finally confirmed what many had long suspected: he would be leaving the club. At this point, very little is known for sure about the Trent Alexander-Arnold contract he may or may not sign for Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have not yet announced the transfer, nor officially made their move. However, it seems certain that Trent will join Real.
If, or rather, when, he does, we can be sure that the Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer will not cost Los Blancos a penny. It will be a free transfer, with the Liverpool man out of contract in May 2025. That’s bad news for Liverpool but potentially very lucrative for the player, with suggestions he will earn around a quarter of a million pounds a week in Spain.
History of the Transfer
The idea that Trent Alexander-Arnold could leave Liverpool for Real Madrid has been around for some time. This is an approximate timeline of the deal:
- Early 2024 – Club hierarchy notified Jurgen Klopp is leaving, so player contracts take a back seat
- May 2024 – Reds approach Trent’s representatives about a new contract, but the player is reluctant
- January 2025 – Real offer €25m to sign the player but Liverpool reject
- March 2025 – It becomes clear the player is set on move to Spain
- April 2025 – Rumours circulate that Alexander-Anrold may stay
- May 2025 – Player announces departure on social media
- May 2025 – It is thought a five-year deal on around £250,000 per week is verbally agreed
Will Trent Alexander-Arnold Join Real Madrid for the Club World Cup?
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract with Liverpool expires on the 30th of June 2025. Real Madrid would like to sign him before then so he can play in the Club World Cup.
Liverpool want a compensation fee to release the player early, with a figure of around £1m rumoured. However, the Reds play their last game of the season on the 25th of May, so they would have to pay his wages for over a month beyond that if they opt to keep him.
Real hope they can use the potential wage savings to encourage the Reds to release him. If the clubs do not reach an agreement, Trent might miss three group-stage games of the tournament in June but then appear in the knockout stages in July.
What About Liverpool?
Losing a player worth around £80m for nothing is a big blow for Liverpool. They must also replace a footballer who can play at right back, right wingback or in midfield. The following are three possible Trent Alexander-Arnold replacements.
Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong is a brilliant player who has been central to the recent success of Bayer Leverkusen. He is 24 and has 12 caps for the Netherlands. He scored 14 times for his club in their triumphant 2023/24 campaign. This season, however, he has been less productive.
Despite that, the one-time Man City academy player has still averaged a goal involvement every third game in the Bundesliga (five goals and six assists from 33 matches). In terms of goal output, he is a great replacement for Trent who should match his assists and probably score more goals. He is reportedly keen on a move, and a buyout clause of £30m makes him very good value.
Conor Bradley
Bradley is a player Liverpool fans already love and would bring amazing energy to the role. Probably a better defender than Trent Alexander-Arnold – and possibly even Frimpong too – many supporters would love to see him given a chance. He can be rash but his high-energy, aggressive style makes him a fan favourite. And making him Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement would free up cash elsewhere. However, he does not pose the same attacking threat as the alternatives. Bradley has just three assists (and no goals) from 27 matches this term in all competitions.
Givairo Read
Read is less well-known than the other two possible Trent Alexander-Arnold replacements. Not 19 until June, he could be one for the future, though he has delivered two goals and seven assists from just 24 Eredivisie games for Feyenoord this term. Slot will know exactly what he is capable of and he would be a cheaper alternative to Frimpong. However, he remains raw and it would be a big step up to the Premier League.
Final Words
The Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer to Real Madrid could be announced any day soon. One way or another, he is likely to play for Madrid at the Club World Cup and it will be very interesting to see how he is deployed. He has divided opinion in England due to his sometimes poor defending. However, his brilliant passing and crossing are sure to be an asset to his new club.
Losing him for nothing has stung some Liverpool supporters but in time, most will forgive him. He has won everything with the Reds, representing them superbly for two decades. If Xabi Alonso can develop him further, then he could become truly world-class. However, as a free transfer, it is certainly an excellent bit of business by Real.
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