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Trent Alexander-Arnold set for Real Madrid switch

Barcelona held talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold's representatives just a few months ago but scrapped plans for a move because of two reasons.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, is running down his contract at Liverpool and looks set to leave his boyhood club on a free transfer this summer.

It emerged on Tuesday that Barcelona's arch rivals, Real Madrid, have agreed personal terms with the right-back, who'll reportedly sign a lucrative five-year deal at the Bernabeu worth in excess of £220,000 per week.



Spanish giants Real have always been the frontrunners to sign him and made a speculative £20million bid during the January transfer window which Liverpool flatly rejected.

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Real's powerbrokers didn't follow up on their offer and have gone down the free transfer route, convincing Alexander-Arnold to sign a pre-contract agreement in order to secure his signature.

Deco, who replaced Cruyff as the club's sporting director, organised a meeting to gauge the likelihood of a deal.

READ MORE:Liverpool face fourth transfer headache as Premier League rival eyes £30m dealREAD MORE:How the 5 players who left Liverpool for Real Madrid fared amid Trent Alexander-Arnold move

Ultimately, Barcelona chiefs deemed that a move for Alexander-Arnold would be a non-starter due to the club's well-documented financial issues.

A new right-back is still on Deco's wish-list ahead of the summer transfer window, with cheaper alternatives such as Rayo Vallecano star Andrei Ratiu and Monaco's Vanderson both linked.

Would Barcelona be a better fit for Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Battling Real for the LaLiga title, Barca are currently top of the table on goal difference and have a game in hand which will be played at home to Osasuna on Thursday.

As for Liverpool, they'll welcome Everton to Anfield in a Merseyside derby clash next Wednesday and Alexander-Arnold could be in for a frosty reception following this week's news.
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