Real Madrid remain confident they WILL land Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer – as betting is suspended on Liverpool star leaving Anfield for Spain

Real Madrid remain confident of signing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer – with sources in Spain suggesting the move is ‘all set and done’.

Mail Sport reported in December that the champions of Europe were certain Alexander-Arnold would be their man and were planning for life with the England international in their team.

That confidence has only intensified since then, although sources close to Liverpool suggest that they have had no indication yet that any deal has been completed.

Real Madrid have been legally permitted to talk to Alexander-Arnold since January 1 — and have been doing so — as his contract at Anfield expires in June. The champions of Europe made a direct approach to Liverpool on New Year’s Eve to sign him in January but it was swiftly rebuffed.

The Premier League leaders saw no sense in cashing in on their right back in January – Madrid were willing to pay around £20million to get him early – as they were still competing in four competitions at that time. That decision has been vindicated.

Mail Sport understands those in the Spanish capital have long expected Alexander-Arnold to join but Florentino Perez was keen to respect Liverpool so did not want to make any news public.

But sources in Madrid reckon completing a move is a matter of a formality at this stage.

Alexander-Arnold is currently on the treatment table after injuring his ankle in Liverpool’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain. It is understood he is targeting a return at some point in April.

The news comes as a major blow for Arne Slot, who has been desperate to keep the defender

Alexander-Arnold has played 349 times for the club and has been crucial to their success

Alexander-Arnold’s deal officially expires in late June with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both also out of contract at the same time. Liverpool remain in talks to extend those deals but no agreement has been reached yet.

Given the increasing speculation, suspended betting on Alexander-Arnold joining Real this summer following a flurry of bets on Tuesday morning.

After joining their academy at the age of six, the defender made his debut as an 18-year-old in an EFL Cup tie against Tottenham in 2018.

He has since gone onto rack up 349 appearances and has been a cornerstone in Liverpool’s immense success over recent years.

Across his time at Anfield, Alexander-Arnold has scored 22 goals and added 87 assists.  

He has won eight trophies with his boyhood club – including the Premier League and Champions League – while he has also racked up 33 caps for England.

The 26-year-old has not spoken much about his Liverpool future – in comparison to Salah and Van Dijk’s regular public comments – but back in September, he hinted that he wanted to create a legacy with the Reds.   

‘I have always said I want to captain the club,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘That is a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands.’

When pressed on what will determine his future, Alexander-Arnold added: ‘The most important thing is always trophies. I want to win trophies.

‘We were close to the title last season and we got a cup. The [quadruple] was on for a while I suppose.

‘This season we are looking really good, it is still early days, but we need a lot of consistency.

‘It will be difficult but we are looking to win as many trophies as we can.’

A move to Real will see Alexander-Arnold link up with Jude Bellingham, who is a close friend

The defender has won eight trophies, including the Champions League back in 2019 (above)

Alexander-Arnold joined his boyhood club aged six and has progressed through the ranks

Alexander-Arnold’s arrival would be a major boost to Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have signed several top quality talents on a free transfers in recent years

Alexander-Arnold has enjoyed another impressive campaign for Liverpool in 2024-25, playing 39 times as Slot’s side close in on the Premier League title.

The Reds are 12 points clear of Arsenal with nine games left to play and the 26-year-old will hope to end his time at Anfield on the perfect note.

However, the defender was forced off with an ankle injury during Liverpool’s defeat by PSG in the Champions League last-16 earlier this month and subsequently missed the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.

It is unclear when he will return to full fitness, but Liverpool are next in action a week on Wednesday when they host Everton.