According to multiple reports, Real Madrid is set to offer Liverpool a token fee to ensure Trent Alexander-Arnold’s availability for the upcoming summer Club World Cup.
The lifelong Liverpool supporter announced his departure from the club on Monday, following a 20-year tenure, and is widely anticipated to join Real Madrid. Liverpool’s official statement highlighted that Alexander-Arnold would not officially leave until his contract ends on June 30, 2025. However, Real Madrid is keen on an earlier release.
The first edition of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup commences in mid-June. Should there be no early release, Alexander-Arnold would be unable to participate in Real Madrid’s group-stage matches against Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia, Pachuca of Mexico, and Austria’s RB Salzburg, as he won’t be eligible to don the iconic white jersey until after July 1.
The Guardian revealed that Madrid have approached Liverpool about concluding Alexander-Arnold’s deal at the end of May, once all Premier League matches have been wrapped up. The Times claim that negotiations began on Monday, just hours after Alexander-Arnold’s announcement.
AS report that Real Madrid are willing to offer a “symbolic amount” worth in the region of €900,000 (£760,000) while also covering the final month of his Liverpool salary. This total outlay is said to be somewhere between €1.5-2m (£1.3-1.7m).
Even if Alexander-Arnold doesn’t arrive until July, he won’t come for free. Players out of contract are routinely handed signing-on bonuses and Madrid are said to be lining up a sum worth in the region of €20m (£17m) for the incoming right-back. Kylian Mbappe, for comparison, reportedly banked €150m (£127m) across the length of his five-year contract after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Advancing through the Club World Cup promises to generate plenty of revenue to outweigh any extra cash splashed on Alexander-Arnold. Real Madrid stand to earn $38.2m (£28.6m) just from turning up, with a further $87.6m (£65.5m) available in prize money if they make it to the final.
