Liverpool fans may have to see Trent Alexander-Arnold in Real Madrid colours even sooner than they think.
talkSPORT broke the news on Tuesday that Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Los Blancos in the summer on a free transfer.
Despite months of negotiations, the 26-year-old has snubbed extending his Anfield stay and opted to move to Spain next term.
The England international is expected to pen a five-year deal with Los Blancos worth in excess of £220,000-per-week.
As it stands, Alexander-Arnold can only sign the paperwork from July 1, the same day La Liga‘s summer transfer window officially opens.
However, Real Madrid are exploring whether they can bring the move forward so the defender can play in June’s Club World Cup.
In October, FIFA altered its transfer rules to allow teams involved to conduct their business from June 1, so new signings can be registered before the tournament starts 14 days later.
Alexander-Arnold’s contract expires on June 30, and Liverpool will be loathe to aid Madrid by allowing him to leave for nothing early.
The Champions League holders had an approach rejected for the Reds academy graduate to join the club in January.
Instead, Carlo Ancelotti‘s men would have to pay to get the right-back out of his deal in time to join Jude Bellingham on the plane.
According to the Daily Mail, Madrid president Florentino Perez is ‘counting’ on Alexander-Arnold to take part in the tournament.
If he is unavailable for the Club World Cup opener, Los Blancos could still add him to its squad for the knockout stage of the competition.
2025 summer transfer window dates
Club World Cup interim window – June 1-10
Premier League and EFL – 12 June to 29 August
La Liga – 1 July to 31 August
Club World Cup – 27 June to 3 July (Provided its within a set limit and according to specific limitations)
Madrid will play their first knockout game on July 1 should they qualify from a group which includes Al-Hilal, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg.
A FIFA statement explained: “Following the deadline for the submission of the squad lists, as some players’ contracts will expire mid-competition, participating clubs may replace players during a restricted in-competition period from 27 June to 3 July 2025 within a set limit and according to specific limitations, including the fact that a ‘standard’ registration window must be open for the club at the time.
“However, the objective is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation.”
Alexander-Arnold is currently sidelined with an injury sustained in Liverpool’s Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain.
The issue is not expected to keep him out long-term, which means his final match for the Reds is due to be on May 25 against Crystal Palace.
With Anfield owners the Fenway Sports Group now resigned to losing their vice-captain’s services, it remains to be seen whether they will look to save a month on Alexander-Arnold’s wages while recouping a fee to let him leave early.
Real Madrid have been prioritising a move for a right-back this summer.
Dani Carvajal is targeting a return from a serious ACL injury at the Club World Cup, but it may be a risk for him to start so soon.
Lucas Vazquez has regularly featured deputized in his absence, but at 33 years of age and with a contract that expires this summer, it’s likely that he’ll be allowed to move on at the end of the season.
FIFA’s new Club World Cup rulings would allow Madrid to offer Vazquez a short-term extension to feature in the tournament.
