Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to be bound for Real Madrid but Barcelona held an interest in the Liverpool defender earlier this season and were in talks with his representatives
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.
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. Barcelona could’ve been in the fight, however, if not for a couple of factors. Spanish radio station Cadena SER report that Barca have considered signing Alexander-Arnold on multiple occasions.
The first instance was during Xavi Hernandez and Jordi Cruyff’s time at the Nou Camp. Then, earlier this season, Barcelona reignited their interest and held talks with the 26-year-old’s representatives. 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. In addition, the performances of Jules Kounde – a central defender by trade who’s excelled at right-back under Hansi Flick – weakened Barca’s resolve.
Alexander-Arnold’s wage demands and signing-on bonus would’ve made it a costly deal for the LaLiga title chasers, who are going for the treble in the final two months of the season. 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.
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It’d have been exciting to see Alexander-Arnold as part of Flick’s side, where the full-backs are encouraged to forward and combine with Barcelona’s formidable attacking trident of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. Battling Real and Atletico Madrid for the LaLiga title, Barca are currently top of the table by three points after winning their game in hand at home to Osasuna on Thursday 3-0.
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. Liverpool haven’t commented on the reports but Real boss Carlo Ancelotti will face the media on Friday and no-doubt be asked about Alexander-Arnold.
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