Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been told to leave Real Madrid, who has made the brutal decision seven months after the England right-back joined from Liverpool
Alvaro Arbeloa has reportedly informed Trent Alexander-Arnold that he is surplus to requirements, just seven months after his £10million switch from Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, has struggled to establish himself in the La Liga giants’ starting lineup, with injuries and behind-the-scenes turmoil, which ultimately led to Xabi Alonso’s dismissal, hindering his progress.
Spanish outlet El Nacional claims that Arbeloa, who recently took the reins after managing the club’s B team, has had a candid conversation with Alexander-Arnold, advising him to depart the club in the summer for his own benefit.
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The decision is reportedly based on sporting grounds, with Arbeloa stating that Alexander-Arnold does not feature in Real Madrid’s long-term plans.
As a result, Alexander-Arnold’s representatives are already exploring potential destinations for the England international ahead of the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid insiders cite his subpar defensive work rate and underwhelming attacking output as reasons for letting him go.
Alexander-Arnold has made only 16 appearances for Real Madrid since joining in time for the Club World Cup last summer. The 27-year-old has been plagued by injuries, including a hamstring issue in September and a muscle problem last month, reports the Mirror.
Fitness woes have seen Alexander-Arnold only take to the pitch once under England gaffer Thomas Tuchel, leaving his spot in the Three Lions’ World Cup squad hanging in the balance. Alonso hinted that the right-back would be given a chance to prove his worth.
“Trent is a top player, and we need him,” the former Madrid boss declared. “It’s his first year, and this adjustment period is normal. He’s also demanding of himself, and we have to support him through this significant change.”
After swapping Liverpool for the 15-time European champs, Alexander-Arnold felt he’d quickly found his feet with the new crew.
“I can’t say enough about the lads and how they made me feel welcome and at home,” he expressed back in June. “They’ve all put in a lot of effort, spoken to me, made me feel comfortable and made sure any questions I had.
“Especially with the translations and things – they’ve helped me a lot with everything. I can’t thank them enough and now we’re excited for the game to start.”