Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes Trent Alexander-Arnold could yet decide to stay at Liverpool amid speculation he has already agreed to join Real Madrid this summer
Wayne Rooney says he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ to see Trent Alexander-Arnold change his mind over a proposed transfer to Real Madrid, despite speculation that the right-back’s move from Liverpool to the Spanish capital at the end of the season has already been agreed.
The England star, 26, has been strongly linked with a move to Spain for months after running down his contract and, after being free to speak with overseas clubs since January, it’s now believed that a deal for Alexander-Arnold to swap Anfield for the Bernabeu in the summer transfer window is all but done.
The news has not down well with the majority of Liverpool fans, particularly as Alexander-Arnold and his team-mates are on the cusp of winning the Premier League title.
But Rooney, citing his own experiences, says that a lot can change before a contract is officially signed – and that Alexander-Arnold could yet choose to stay with the Reds.
Writing in his BBC Sport column, the Manchester United legend said: “Alexander-Arnold has been an excellent servant to the club, so you can’t begrudge him wanting to try something new. It would not just be a shame for Liverpool fans if he left because you want to see the best players in the Premier League but, if he does go to Real, I wish him well.
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“Still, as I found out myself, just because there are talks over a transfer does not mean it will happen. It is well known that some United fans protested outside my house when they thought I was going to leave in 2010, but I’d agreed my new contract by then.
“Alexander-Arnold has not signed anything with Real yet and it would not surprise me if, even after all this speculation, he ends up staying at Anfield after all. A lot can happen before a contract is signed – as I know from experience.”
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Plenty of theories have emerged since the news broke that an agreement between Alexander-Arnold and Real was almost done. But Rooney thinks the opportunity to pursue a new challenge overseas with Real Madrid is the main appeal for Alexander-Arnold rather than trophies.
“He has been at Liverpool for almost 20 years – since he was six – but the reality is that most players move at some point – that’s why there are so few one-club men like Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher,” Rooney said after pointing out that Alexander-Arnold has ‘already won everything there is to win’ with his boyhood club.
“I would not blame Alexander-Arnold for wanting to do something a little bit different – like a fresh challenge in a new country – Spain would be a really good move for him.”
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