Trent Alexander-Arnold joins Real Madrid in €10m deal ahead of Club World Cup

In a successful move, Real Madrid have secured the early transfer of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, ensuring the Englishman will be available for their entire Club World Cup campaign this summer. The deal, finalized for a reported fee of €10 million (£8.4 million; $11.4 million), sees Alexander-Arnold join the Spanish giants on a six-year contract, ending his remarkable association with Liverpool, where he rose from academy prospect to one of the world’s elite right-backs.

Originally, Alexander-Arnold was set to join Real Madrid as a free agent after his Liverpool contract expired on June 30. However, Madrid’s desire to have him available for all Club World Cup matches—including group-stage fixtures against Al Hilal (June 18), Pachuca (June 22), and Red Bull Salzburg (June 26)—spurred negotiations for an early release. Liverpool initially rejected Madrid’s approach in December and a subsequent offer, but ultimately accepted the €10 million proposal as the Premier League season concluded.

The transaction is financially advantageous for Liverpool, who not only receive a lump sum but also relieve themselves of the responsibility for Alexander-Arnold’s remaining wages and bonuses. For Real Madrid, the fee is a small price to pay for securing a player with a market valuation of €75 million, who now ranks as the fourth most valuable signing in the club’s history, behind only Jude Bellingham, Eden Hazard, and Kylian Mbappé.

Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool having made over 350 appearances and won nine major trophies, including the 2019 Champions League and two Premier League titles in 2020 and 2025. His departure initially drew mixed reactions from fans, with some booing him in the penultimate match of the season. However, after interventions from club legends like Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah, he was celebrated during the Premier League trophy presentation at Anfield.

Real Madrid’s statement confirmed Alexander-Arnold’s participation in the Club World Cup, while Liverpool’s official communication expressed gratitude for his contributions: “Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool FC with the club appreciative and grateful for his contribution to those successes.” Alexander-Arnold himself cited the need for a “new challenge” as motivation for the move.

This transfer not only reshapes Madrid’s defensive plans—especially with club captain Dani Carvajal sidelined by injury—but also marks the end of an era at Liverpool, where Alexander-Arnold’s creativity and leadership were central to their recent triumphs