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Sky Sports have revealed an interesting detail on Trent Alexander-Arnold that is said to have surprised not just the 26-year-old but all parties in the situation – even Liverpool FC.

If reports are to be believed, Real Madrid are on the brink of finalizing a blockbuster deal to sign Alexander-Arnold, with multiple reports indicating the transfer is now a matter of when, not if.

After months of speculation, it looks increasingly likely that the 26-year-old right-back joins the Spanish giants on a free transfer this summer, ending his 19-year association with his boyhood club.

Madrid’s interest dates back to at least 2023, but their pursuit intensified after Dani Carvajal’s ACL injury in October 2024 left them reliant on makeshift solutions like Lucas Vázquez.

Alexander-Arnold’s hybrid role—combining elite creativity (87 assists for Liverpool) with tactical flexibility—aligns with Carlo Ancelotti’s vision.

Despite offering a lucrative extension, Liverpool have seemingly failed to convince their academy product to stay?

Manager Arne Slot publicly praised Alexander-Arnold’s commitment as recently as January, but it seems to no avail.

Though Alexander-Arnold joins as a free agent, Madrid may pay Liverpool up to £1 million to release him early for June’s Club World Cup, where he’d feature in group-stage games before his contract expires on July 1

Alexander-Arnold would follow David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and Kylian Mbappé as high-profile free signings for Madrid.

But interestingly, in a new report by Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy, all parties to the deal (Alexander-Arnold, Madrid, and Liverpool) have been left feeling ‘surprised’ that the media has gone into an overdrive state this week.

She writes that nothing has changed in the situation since January:

“With regards to Alexander-Arnold, all parties – including Real – have made it very clear that any decision would not be driven by money.”

“They are also aligned in showing surprise at the stories that emerged this week, given nothing major has changed since January – no agreement has been reached, no deal has been signed, nor has a conclusion been communicated to either club.”

It has been explained by the fact that it is an international break period, leaving media houses with not much else to talk about.

While nothing has changed over the international break, despite the noise, it still feels like the 26-year-old will be in white next season.

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