Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to be on his way to Real Madrid in the summer, and it increasingly looks as though nothing was going to dissuade him from the move.
Despite reports that Liverpool were prepared to make him the best-paid English player in the Premier League (duly earning more than £300,000 per week), which is 50% more than the purported deal he’s set to agree at the Bernabeu, the 26-year-old very much seems to have his heart set on joining Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Real Madrid gave Trent a firm ultimatum
In the latest episode of the Here We Go podcast, Fabrizio Romano outlined how Los Blancos made a non-negotiable demand with which the Reds’ vice-captain was happy to comply in order for the transfer to happen.
The journalist revealed: “My understanding from Real Madrid’s side is that this is not going to be a salary as one of the best-paid players at Real Madrid.
“Vinicius is negotiating a new deal, Mbappe joined one year ago, Jude Bellingham is on an important contract – it’s not going to be on that part of the contract strategy at Real Madrid. It’s going to be obviously a very good salary, but not a crazy salary.
“This is an important point. For Real Madrid, it was very clear since day one. They told very clearly to Trent already when they had the first conversations – ‘If you want to join, it has to be on our terms. Otherwise, you can extend at Liverpool or do whatever you want’. Real Madrid were very clear on this point. This was the message to Trent, and Trent immediately accepted.”
Liverpool seemed powerless to persuade Trent to stay
If Trent was reportedly willing to fall in line with Real Madrid’s ‘our way or the highway policy’ and accept without hesitation a significantly lower base salary than what Liverpool were apparently prepared to offer, then realistically the Reds never had any hope of persuading him to stay.
We imagine there’ll be a handsome signing-on bonus on top of his set wages at the Bernabeu, but even still it’s evident that the impending transfer isn’t about money but rather the 26-year-old’s career ambitions.
The England international has put on record his burning desire to win the Ballon d’Or, and the roll of honour for that award suggests that he’s far more likely to do so in the Spanish capital than on Merseyside.
While it’s difficult to begrudge him the opportunity to join the most successful club in European football in the prime of his career, one which continues to win the Champions League with enviable regularity, the manner of his looming exit for Liverpool badly stings for the fans that he’s about to leave behind.
Had he publicly declared a few months ago that he’d stay at Anfield for one more season and aim to go out on a high by winning major silverware before then leaving for Madrid, Kopites would’ve been disappointed but respectful of his transparency.
Instead, by allowing his contract to run down amid months of silence before yesterday’s bombshell news, his legacy at his hometown club could be tainted significantly.
“Could” be tainted? I’d say it already is. If Real Madrid is what he wants then no point in persuading him. He’s obviously set on going there. And I’d be wary of playing him too much for the remainder of the season if his heart’s obviously not in L4. No testimonial either – doesn’t deserve it. As a lifelong Liverpool fan I’m very disillusioned – disappointed by the whole situation.
Agree 100%
Agreed 💯% . And to get what he wants from Madrid , he kept silent to run his contract and benefit from u huge signing on fee. Judas .
It is better for everyone that he stays away , in fact he should have already packed his belongings from the locker and won’t return to Anfield. He played his last game already for me and if he is dreaming for the balon do’or , he better forget about it . It will never happen.
He is the one who is loosing all the good things , big looser , he lost everything . He will always walk the streets of Liverpool ALONE.
JUST REMEMBER , NO ONE IS BIGGER THAN LFC. WE WILL GO FORWARD WITH OR WITHOUT YOU.
He is a traitor i dont care what anyone says he misled the whole liverpool fanbase for months,saying he wants to be captain oneday and all that stuff he caught the whole fanbase offguard he is actually a snake,jack grealish i remember wannot to leave early at aston villa as well but signed a contract so aston villa atleast get a fee for him over 100million pounds trent is a snake and shouldnt play or even be part of the team anymore.
I agree Nick, but tbh, I know his qualities but not sure we’ll miss him as much as the media makes out. He’s not even been guaranteed starting for England & I wonder if he’ll be 1st choice at Real. We’ll move on without him as we’ve ways done in the past when we’ve lost players.
To leave the club on a free with Liverpool gaining no fee is a slap in the face for the club and every fan.
Learn the game mate. FSG lost that fee not Trent.
Liverpool did NOT offer to renew 2 years ago (as usual)
Then Jurgen said he’s leaving (more uncertainty)
And then he saw how Jude has been treated in Spain.
And then Southgate snubs him in Euros.
What would ANY talented athlete do.
For this particular point, I am 100% agreed with you! Remember, he was the ballboy 20 years ago and LFC has groomed him to what he is today. But, I personally think that if Klopp is still around then he will not leave.
I’ve said it the last two years, I’m actually glad he’s finally going. And I hope Salah goes with him. Time for us to start to rebuild the team without Mo. Will we struggle for a season, probably, but in my opinion it’s time for the two of them to move on. Sick of Salah crying about his bloody contract every opportunity he gets. Would have been nice to cash in on Salah but if we win the league this year then it’s paid itself.
He’ll know how tainted it is when he walks with his kids in years to come, past the buildings where his murals once were. That’s when it will sink in.
Personally I don’t think he will ever win the balon dor in a team with Bellingham mbappe and vini Jr.
The grass isn’t always greener. So much for wanting to be captain and emulate stevie G
It’s a disgrace that he decided to leave in this manner. If recent history is any guide, he will probably fail and those Spanish fans don’t iwe him anything..
I agree Nick, but tbh, I know his qualities but not sure we’ll miss him as much as the media makes out. He’s not even been guaranteed starting for England & I wonder if he’ll be 1st choice at Real. We’ll move on without him as we’ve ways done in the past when we’ve lost players.
Always had that ‘spoilt’ look! Can’t see the guy settling in Madrid but Hey Ho let him go!
Personally, I feel heart broken about Trent’s leaving but again over the years we have seen that if a play made his mind to move, no matter what offer is laid on the table for him to stay it’s all in vein moreover their performance reduces drastically therefore instead of affecting our chances of winning the title let him go and should not be played till the end of the season. On MO, I’m faded up of his laxity and lack of focus on scoring, losing clear chances just to push his personal interest, let him leave the club. Its time to rebuild the club not to only rely on old stock.
Trent should remember what Klopp told Couthino when he insisted leaving LFC. History repeating itself here.
Out with judas take your family with you mate and stay in Spain nobody in liverpool ever wants to see your dirty turncoat mug again
Ballon d’Or,!!! is he for real??? he’ll never win that .
In my opinion he’ll get found out in Spain . Bradley is a much better defender, ok Trent might make the odd hollywood pass . He’s not even first choice right back for England FFS !! Bye Trent thanks for the corner vs Barca…