The story has been brewing all season and on Tuesday Liverpool fans were given the strongest indication yet that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Anfield for Real Madrid in the summer.
The right-back has just three months remaining on his Reds contract and is set to become a free agent on July 1, ending a 21-year association with his boyhood club.
Madrid has made a habit of signing free agents in recent years, recruiting David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Kylian Mbappe on free transfers, and Alexander-Arnold looks set to become the next. As for Liverpool, it has a decision to make on how it goes about replacing Alexander-Arnold. Here are there possible options:
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong’s name has been mentioned more than any when it has come to naming possible replacements for Alexander-Arnold. The former Manchester City academy man has established himself as one of the best wing-backs in world soccer since joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, but he could be on the move this summer.
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Arne Slot has reportedly been in touch with fellow Dutchman Frimpong, speaking to him on the phone, exchanging text messages, and generally make it clear that he wants the 24-year-old to move to Anfield.
There is a strong Dutch contingent in Liverpool’s squad with Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil can DIjk, and Frimpong could be the next man through the door.
Ola Aina
Ola Aina has been one of the Premier League’s standout full-backs this season, starring for a Nottingham Forest side that looks to be on its way to qualifying for the Champions League.
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The Nigeria international is out of contract at Forest at the end of this season, but there are suggestions that Forest has it within its power to trigger a one-year extension to keep him at the club until the summer of 2026.
If that is the case, Liverpool is unlikely to move for Aina considering his age: he will turn 29 this year and Liverpool’s transfer policy dictates that the club prioritizes signing players in their mid-20s and below.
Conor Bradley
Promoting Conor Bradley to the role of first-choice right-back would likely involve Liverpool also signing a lower-profile player than the likes of Frimpong and Aina, in order to provide competition and back-up for the Northern Irishman.
Bradley has impressed when he has played for the Reds and the signs are all there that he has what it takes to fill Alexander-Arnold’s large boots.
He is a different type of player to the England international but has all the traits required to make a top full-back, and is effective in attack too, albeint in a slightly different way to Alexander-Arnold.
It would be a bold move for Slot to trust Bradley but Liverpool might have to cut its cloth accordingly regarding how it goes about replacing Alexander-Arnold, considering the Reds aren’t going to get a fee for him.
