Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid ‘the worst kept secret in the world’

Trent Alexander-Arnold is destined to leave Liverpool to sign for Real Madrid as a free agent in a deal that is “the worst kept secret in the world”.

Alexander-Arnold is one of three prominent Liverpool stars who are out of contract in 2025, with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also destined to have their deals expire in June if no action is taken.

The England right-back is strongly tipped to move to Real Madrid, where his friend Jude Bellingham has enjoyed significant success over the course of the last 18 months, and Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson says a deal is almost inevitable.

“I think Trent will let his contract run out,” he said.

“I think the world knows, and it’s probably the worst-kept secret in the world, that his big mate Jude Bellingham plays for Real Madrid. He’s an intelligent boy, very well schooled, etc. He might just turn around and go, ‘you know what boys, I’m going to go and play in Spain’. Because why not?

“Because don’t they win the Champions League every year, to widen your horizons, all those other kinds of things. It’s only a gut thing but I hear it more and more often now that they might have already had a conversation. So I wouldn’t be surprised. And Conor Bradley looks like he’s going to be a really good player as well in Trent’s position. So it wouldn’t be the end of the world, would it?”

Van Dijk deal key for Reds

Lawrenson believes it is more important that Van Dijk and Salah remain at Liverpool.

He even put the Dutchman top of his list for players to retain, despite Salah’s scintillating form.

“Van Dijk is the most important player to sign. He’s the rock of the defence, sorts out the dressing room, all those kinds of things. Still a top, top player. And then I would go with Salah after him,” he said.

Liverpool are back in action in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.