Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid in a surprise €10 million (£8.4 million) move, confirmed for Sunday, June 1st. The 26-year-old, who was set to become a free agent at the end of the month, leaves Anfield after nearly two decades at his boyhood club.
Sources from both clubs disagree on the final fee, but the agreement allows Alexander-Arnold to be registered in time for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., kicking off June 14. He has signed a six-year contract with a stunning €1 billion (£840 million) buy-out clause.
Real Madrid face Al-Hilal in their tournament opener on June 18 in Miami. Before then, Alexander-Arnold is expected to feature for England in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra on June 7 and a friendly versus Senegal on June 10.
In response, Liverpool have swiftly signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for €35 million (£29.5 million). Meanwhile, Madrid also confirmed the £50 million acquisition of Spanish defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
The transfers come as part of a major rebuild at Real Madrid under new manager Xabi Alonso, following a rare trophyless season. The Club World Cup offers both redemption and a financial windfall of up to £97 million in prize money.
Alexander-Arnold departs Liverpool with a decorated legacy—two Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and more across 354 appearances, scoring 23 goals and registering 92 assists. Speaking earlier this month, he described the move as a “new challenge” to grow “personally and professionally.”
He now reunites with England teammate Jude Bellingham and former Liverpool idol Alonso at the Bernabéu.
