Liverpool Transfer News: Real Madrid’s DESPERATE move changes EVERYTHING for Trent Alexander-Arnold

We were led to believe that Real Madrid were hellbent on adding Trent Alexander-Arnold to their ranks.

Throughout 2024 we have been inundated with stories from the Spanish press - typically - that Florentino Perez had identified the Liverpool right-back as their next Galactic free transfer.

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Following the acquisitions of players like Antonio Rudiger and Kylian Mbappe in recent seasons, they could sign one of the world’s best for no upfront cost - signing on fee aside - and have a plug-and-play solution for a potentially problem position.

While Dani Carvajal still boasts a strong reputation as one of the best defenders in the world, time is catching up with the soon-to-be 33-year-old, whose contract expires in 2026.

Trent could bed in for a year before taking over duties long-term once Carvajal takes his leave. And Liverpool were perhaps a bit powerless in the face of that juggernaut proposal.

Macca, Owen... Trent?

Trent could move on from his boyhood club having won everything meaningful in the game for a new start alongside one of his good friends Jude Bellingham. As much as we hate to admit it, it’s a move that… made sense for Trent at least.

That said it would be nice to bank some sort of transfer fee for a player Jurgen Klopp turned into the world’s best and who has become a club icon the world over. Trent leaving Liverpool would split his legacy with many ready to compare him to Steve McManaman or Michael Owen, two more homegrown prospects seduced by Madrid during their peaks.

But when the dust settled it would be doubtless that Trent is regarded as one of Liverpool’s best-ever players, going down in history as a Champions League and Premier League winner. We wouldn’t exactly be thrilled to see him leave but let’s be honest he’s done and continues to do an incredible job. If this is his dream then who are we to begrudge it?

Opportunities like this are literally once in a lifetime.

Real Madrid want £50m Dalot

But something has happened recently that we think should give Trent pause for thought. First it was reported that Madrid had looked at Jeremie Frimpong as a potential alternative should they fail to land Alexander-Arnold. Then the name of Reece James was floated.

And now come the reports that Perez is ready to part with £50 million in January for Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot.

Are Real Madrid serious about Trent? It’s been suggested that Madrid - in light of Carvajal’s ongoing injury problems - need a right-back and need one fast. Even a cut-price deal for Trent was discussed. Lucas Vazquez isn’t up to playing it regularly at a high level and Federico Valverde is better deployed in midfield.

Rather than wait for the perfect outcome in summer, Madrid are ready to pull the trigger on the very definition of a panic buy. Dalot’s not a bad player, far from it, but Trent is a world-class player, whose defending output is now reaching its peak and whose attacking prowess has long been optimum.

Sacrifice all that for Dalot?

If that’s what they really think of Trent then he should think a little more carefully about his next move and - perhaps - sign the new deal that’s in front of him at Liverpool. No one will ever love and revere him like at Anfield and he can basically have whatever he wants to stay.

Real Madrid will chew you up and spit you out, as Mbappe is currently finding out. But before he’s even got there, Trent has learned the club of his dreams are ready to move on. Consider that Trent when it comes time for that pre-contract agreement.

That’s if Dalot hasn’t got there first.

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