Summer transfers: Why Real Madrid paid Liverpool money for free agent Trent Alexander-Arnold explained

Some Liverpool fans were irked that Trent Alexander-Arnold cut his lifelong association with the Merseyside club to join Real Madrid "for free". They believe he could and should have signed a contract extension so that Anfield could make some money from his sale. A true Red, such a final act of loyalty was not too much to ask from the right-back, some fans of the reigning Premier League winners claim.

However, as the official statements on Trent Alexander-Arnold's transfer to Real Madrid started to emerge, it has become clear that the move was not absolutely free and Liverpool did earn some money by selling their right-back. Alexander-Arnold's contract kept him in Liverpool till June 30, but Real Madrid wanted him available for the FIFA Club World Cup starting in the United States on the 15th of the month. Thus, Los Blancos decided to "buy off" the 26-year-old by paying £10 million to the Premier League side, TalkSport said in a report on Friday. Arne Slot's team will get the sum as a one-time payment, the report added.

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Alexander-Arnold's contract at Real Madrid is valid till June 30 2031, an official club statement said. "Real Madrid C. F. and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold for the next six seasons, from 1 June 2025 to 30 June 2031. The 26-year-old England international joins the club after winning nine trophies with Liverpool: Champions League (1), Club World Cup (1), Uefa Super Cup (1), Premier League (2), FA Cup (1), League Cup (2), and Community Shield (1)," it read.

 

READ REAL MADRID'S FULL CLUB STATEMENT HERE

 

The club release also confirmed that TAA will be part of its squad for the FIFA Club World Cup under new manager Xabi Alonso. 

Madrid and the other 31 teams playing in the Club World Cup can make early signings under FIFA-approved special trading windows from June 1-10 and again June 27-July 3.

 

Liverpool confirmed it will receive a fee for his services, with the deal to be concluded once the window opens on June 1. It did not specify the amount.

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Alexander-Arnold had announced earlier this month that he'd be leaving his boyhood club with Madrid the expected destination.

 

Madrid hopes that Alexander-Arnold will reinforce a defense that was hammered by injuries this season as the team failed to win a title despite having signed France star Kylian Mbappe last summer.

 

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