Michael Owen has expressed his willingness to offer advice to Trent Alexander-Arnold as he closes in on a switch from Liverpool to Real Madrid. The former Reds forward, who famously made the same move in 2004, understands the intricacies involved in such a high-profile transfer.
Owen, who scored 16 goals during his brief stint at the Santiago Bernabeu before moving to Newcastle United in 2005, has openly discussed his own desire for a Liverpool return that never materialized.
Now, with Alexander-Arnold’s contract winding down and the possibility of leaving Anfield on a free transfer looming, Owen is ready to share his insights. Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO in December 2024, Owen remarked, “Would I be open for a chat? Of course, if he reached out for me, yeah. I have lots of people that I speak to. I work in television, I’m interviewing people all the time.
“I’m covering games, I’m in and around places and TV studios. I’m always chatting to people and people ask for advice and things like that. If Trent called me then of course I would.
“There’s no good or bad decision really. The only good or bad decision is the after time, in 10 years. That’s the only reason you’ll ever say it is a good or bad decision. Whereas when you live it, it’s that way. I decided that at the time and I can’t change it.
“From Trent’s point of view, he’ll make his decision based on all the facts in front of him, and that will be the right thing for him at this time. That’s what he’ll have to live with forever, and I’m sure he’ll be comfortable with that. If other people have this opinion in the future, as I say, these after-timers, then, whatever. Just whatever. It doesn’t matter.”
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According to reports, Real Madrid is working to secure a deal for Alexander-Arnold, with the Spanish club required to inform Liverpool if a pre-contract agreement is reached. It is claimed that Real have been monitoring Alexander-Arnold for two years and have been attempting to convince him to join since January.
It has emerged that Real wants Alexander-Arnold to play in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer and will therefore need Liverpool to release him from his contract early. That does mean that the Reds would receive a compensation fee, having missed out on a substantial transfer fee due to his free agent status.
