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When Real Madrid are involved, the noise is almost impossible to drown out. And when they come knocking, it’s hard not to listen. History shows they’re not a club you turn down easily.
When Madrid set their sights on a player and pushes hard, it usually ends one way. More often than not, the club holding the player is just delaying the inevitable. Even Kylian Mbappe, who rejected them in 2022, still ended up joining for free in 2025. That’s just how it works—Madrid rarely takes no for an answer.
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Now, the latest player in that position is Trent Alexander-Arnold. A boyhood Liverpool player, a product of their academy, a UEFA Champions League and English Premier League winner—yet Madrid want him, and they need him. His contract runs out in June, and last week, David Ornstein reported that Madrid are closing in on a deal.
All signs suggest this one is heading in their direction. But does the move actually make sense for both Real Madrid and the player?
Madrid’s greatest teams have always been built on dynamic full-backs—players who stretch the pitch, influence the attack, and remain defensively sound. From Roberto Carlos and Marcelo to Dani Carvajal, their best sides have relied on quality from deep.
Carvajal, now 33, has struggled with injuries and is no longer the ever-present force he once was. Lucas Vázquez, also 33, fills in when needed but isn’t a long-term solution. So it’s no surprise Madrid are going after Trent Alexander-Arnold.
At 26, Trent Alexander-Arnold has already achieved what many players can only dream of. A Champions League winner, a Premier League winner, and a regular in Team of the Year selections, he hasn’t just played the right-back role—he’s redefined it.
His numbers are staggering: 86 assists, 22 goals, and a style of play that feels more like a deep-lying playmaker than a traditional full-back. He dictates tempo, picks apart defensive lines, and creates from areas where most defenders would play it safe.
In a Madrid team packed with runners who are adept in quick transitions, his passing would surely be a game-changer.
For all of Alexander-Arnold’s brilliance on the ball, the defensive doubts haven’t gone away. It’s the one criticism that always follows him.
One-on-one, he’s been caught out at times, especially against wingers who exploit the space behind him. That’s a concern—but is it a deal-breaker for Madrid? Probably not. Under Carlo Ancelotti, they’ve never been obsessed with defensive perfection. Their approach has often been simple: if you can outscore the opposition, you win.
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If Alexander-Arnold helps them do that, then the flaws might not matter as much as people think.
And this is exactly what he excels at.
Madrid’s system relies on width and high-quality service to its wingers making runs in behind. Alexander-Arnold provides that effortlessly. His ability to switch play, deliver pinpoint crosses, and link up with attacking players would immediately give Madrid’s right side a new dimension.
Vinícius Júnior—and if the move happens, Kylian Mbappe—would thrive on the kind of service he offers. The thought of him picking out Vinícius, Mbappe, or even Rodrygo with those trademark diagonal balls is an exciting prospect.
So, does the move make sense and add up for both parties? It could be a smart decision, or it could come with risks.
Madrid have been tracking Alexander-Arnold for two years. They know exactly what they’d be getting—his qualities on the ball, his defensive flaws, and everything in between. If they push for him, it won’t be without a clear plan.
For Madrid, he would add even more creativity to a team already packed with attacking talent. For Alexander-Arnold, it’s a chance to step onto the biggest stage in club football, challenge himself in a new environment, and compete for the game’s biggest trophies.
If the move happens, the odds are that both parties will look back in a few years and feel it was the right one. Fingers Crossed.
