Trent Alexander-Arnold is entering the final year of his contract with Liverpool, a situation that has sparked growing concern among fans and pundits alike.
As things stand, the 26-year-old right-back could leave Anfield for free at the end of the season, with reports suggesting that Real Madrid are keen on securing his services.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has hinted that there may be more to Alexander-Arnold’s reluctance to sign a renewal, pointing towards the potential allure of a move to the Bernabéu.
Sutton suggests Real Madrid interest is behind Trent’s ticking time bomb of a contract
Speaking on the BBC, Sutton shared his thoughts on why Alexander-Arnold has yet to sign a new deal with Liverpool.
“There’s a reason why he’s running his contract down,” said Sutton. “It’s unusual for a club of Liverpool’s size to let a player of his calibre reach the final year of his contract. For someone like Trent, this shouldn’t be happening.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold. Credit: Imago Images
Sutton’s comments come amid ongoing speculation that Alexander-Arnold may be tempted by a move to Real Madrid, a club that remains one of the most prestigious destinations in world football. While Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also nearing the end of their contracts, Sutton emphasized that Alexander-Arnold’s situation is different due to his age and potential to reach his peak in the coming years.
At 26, Alexander-Arnold is significantly younger than Salah, 32, and Van Dijk, 33, and still has plenty of years ahead of him at the top level. His status as a Liverpool academy product and a boyhood fan of the club adds another layer of complexity to the situation, but as the season progresses without a new contract signed, concerns are growing that the defender could choose to move on.
Real Madrid are hard to resist
Former Everton winger Andros Townsend, appearing alongside Sutton on the Monday Night Club, added his perspective on the situation, suggesting that while Alexander-Arnold may not actively be seeking a way out of Liverpool, the allure of Real Madrid could be too strong to resist.
Trent Alexander-Arnold. Credit: Imago Images
“I don’t think he necessarily wants to leave Liverpool or he’s searching to leave, but Real Madrid is Real Madrid,” Townsend said. “If there’s interest from them, I don’t think as a player you can turn that down. He can’t really say no to Real Madrid.”
As the clock ticks down on Alexander-Arnold’s contract, the prospect of losing such a key figure on a free transfer is becoming a more realistic concern for Liverpool. For now, the Reds will hope that they can convince their star defender to remain at Anfield, though the pull of a club like Real Madrid may make that a challenging task.
