Liverpool supporters must have been choking on their cornflakes after waking up to comments on his future from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold is now in the final 12 months of his current deal, and appears no closer to signing a new one. In fact, if the England international hasn’t put pen to paper before the start of 2025, Alexander-Arnold can open talks with other clubs.
And one of the first on the phone will be Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold has formed a close relationship with Jude Bellingham. The pair were like each other’s shadows during the Euros in Germany this summer, then holidayed together after the tournament.
READ MORE: Liverpool legend ‘actually hurt’ Soccer AM host when he ‘nailed’ him on live TV
Click for more of the latest football newsfrom the Daily Star.
And it’s safe to assume Bellingham wasn’t telling Alexander-Arnold how awful life is for him in the Spanish capital. Quite the opposite, in fact. Bellingham wouldn’t be much of a pal if he didn’t encourage Alexander-Arnold to move to Madrid next season.
Forget what Manchester United, City, Bayern Munich or anyone else claims. Real are the biggest club in the world, with the best stadium, training facilities, support and history behind them on the planet.
Going to the Bernabeu feels like a privilege, while the Cuidad Real Madrid Florentino Perez training ground on the outskirts of the city is something to behold. Bellingham didn’t need asking twice, once Real bosses had showed him what awaited him in Madrid if he wanted to join them from Borussia Dortmund.
(Image: Getty Images)
And it will be the same for Alexander-Arnold. The common held view in football is that all of those players who reach the elite level, have to play for Real at some stage in their careers.
The list of these is endless, but includes Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Ronaldo, to name but a few. Alexander-Arnold was born in Liverpool and the club is part of his DNA.
But he would be foolish to ignore the chance of joining Real. He’s won the league title with Liverpool and Champions League. He has little more to prove on Merseyside. There can be no greater rush than performing in the Bernabeu, where Alexander-Arnold could win what he has with Liverpool, and much, much more.
“The most important thing is always trophies if I am honest,” said Alexander-Arnold, “I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite.”
And it doesn’t get more elite than being a winner with Real.