Explained: Why Trent Alexander-Arnold could end up at Real Madrid after representing Liverpool his entire career

The arrival of the new year signalled the beginning of the January Transfer Window, also known as the ‘Winter Transfer Window’, which is set to run for a month and will conclude on 3 February at 11 pm GMT. It gives players an opportunity for a fresh start, especially if things haven’t been going as expected at the halfway stage of the season or if their contract is up for renewal at the end of the season and they’re looking to make an early move. It also gives clubs the opportunity to plug gaps in their squad, especially if key players have been ruled out with injury or are woefully out of form – to the point of falling out of favour with their managers and being relegated to the sidelines.

England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is part of the trio of Liverpool stars whose contracts will be up for renewal at the end of the 2024-25 season. And though the focus is firmly on Liverpool's spectacular run this season, with the ‘Reds’ currently leading the table by a fair margin and well-poised to win the league for only a second time in the Premier League era, discussions on the futures of Alexander-Arnold as well as star forward Mohamed Salah and defender Virgil van Dijk will no doubt be taking place parallelly at the moment.

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However, the latest transfer rumours appear to suggest that while Salah and van Dijk are likely to get a contract extension, Alexander-Arnold might just end up parting ways with the club after representing them throughout his senior player career – perhaps as early as January. And among the clubs that are showing an interest in Englishman who also plays as a midfielder is Real Madrid.

Why Real Madrid are interested in securing Trent Alexander-Arnold

Having been part of the Liverpool setup for his entire playing career, Alexander-Arnold might be looking forward to a fresh challenge with reigning Spanish and European Champions Madrid. And if that indeed is the case, then the 26-year-old might not find a better place to pursue the challenge that with the 15-time European champions.

Ex-England striker Gary Lineker, who had moved to Barcelona from Everton in 1986, believes Alexander-Arnold could adjust to life at Bernabeu real quick given he’s “really close” to fellow Englishman Jude Bellingham – who has quickly established himself in the midfield under coach Carlo Ancelotti since joining the Spanish giants in 2023.

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“He is really close with Jude Bellingham, as we saw in the summer,” Lineker told BBC.

“He is a wonderful footballer, he would fit in beautifully and would be a massive success. They wouldn’t focus on his defending – which we overly do here.

“I did the move myself to Spain and playing for Real or Barca is truly special. However strong and rich the Premier League is, the world’s greats still go to Barca and Real Madrid,” added the former striker, who represented England between 1984 and 1992.

Even if Alexander-Arnold does end up moving to Spain, which will not be an easy decision for him as well as for Liverpool, the current Premier League have a handy replacement waiting in the wings in the form of Conor Bradley — who had starred in the 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in their UEFA Champions League clash at The Anfield on 28 November.