Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid following an approach from the Spanish giants, say two Liverpool legends.
Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen believe the public nature of Madrid's proposal indicates that sooner or later he will come to them.
On Tuesday, Liverpool rejected an approach from Los Blancos to sign the right-back in January.
Madrid wanted to reinforce its defense before the summer, when Alexander-Arnold's contract ends, due to Dani Carvajal's season-ending injury.
Mail Sport revealed at the weekend that Madrid are confident they can convince Liverpool to join them. Madrid's approach, quickly rejected by Liverpool, was more club-to-club than a formal or monetary offer.
“The very fact that Real Madrid have made clear their intentions to sign Trent Alexander Arnold leads me to believe that it is only a matter of time before he signs for them,” Owen wrote in X.
Real Madrid's transfer approach for Trent Alexander-Arnold indicates he is destined to join them, say Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen
Liverpool quickly rejected Madrid's proposal to transfer their prized right back on Tuesday
Carragher and Owen fear that Alexander-Arnold already has an agreement with Real Madrid
'If he were to sign a contract extension, Madrid would not have done it officially. Secret talks will have taken place. Great news.'
Carragher chimed in: “The most important thing for LFC in 2025 is to win the Premier League. No one's contract or future should come in the way of this!
“I love Trent as a boy and as a player, but his team would have told Real Madrid to submit an offer and would also have known that LFC would reject it.
'It's to try to cover himself when he leaves for free. “Again, it's something the club and the fans don't need with a big game ahead (against Manchester United).”
Alexander-Arnold has a big decision to make about his future, but to this point he has given Liverpool no indication that he wants to leave.
The Premier League leaders have been in dialogue with Alexander-Arnold and his team and are keen to extend his contract, as well as the deals of Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk.
Despite being only 26 years old, Alexander-Arnold is one of Liverpool's most experienced players.
The local boy, who has been at Anfield for two decades after joining the club when he was six, is currently tenth on the list of Liverpool players with the most Premier League appearances (243).
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is interested in signing a new right back to reinforce his injury-hit squad.
Dani Carvajal, Madrid's starting right back, is not expected to play again this season
Alexander-Arnold pictured (left) in action against Madrid in the 2022 Champions League final
Alexander-Arnold made his first-team debut in 2016 and has since racked up 333 appearances in all competitions.
He has won eight trophies with the Reds, including the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.
In addition to winning the Champions League in 2019, Alexander-Arnold lost the final against Real Madrid twice: in 2018 and again in 2022.
He is on his way to cementing his legendary status in Liverpool and is the subject of a giant mural on the corner of Anfield Road, where his image is accompanied by the quote: “I'm just a normal Liverpool boy whose dream has come true.” . TRUE.'
In a recent interview with Men in Blazers, Alexander-Arnold was asked what his dreams were like now. He replied: “Of course, by winning more trophies.” But on a personal level he is building a legacy. That's something important.”
When asked what he meant by that, he clarified: “It's just talked about with the utmost consideration, especially after you're done (playing). In 10 or 15 years, if I'm talked about as one of the best right-backs or the best right-back, so I will play for that now and use it as motivation.”
