Gary Neville has called Real Madrid’s attempt to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in January a “p—take.”
Despite this, the Manchester United icon also mentioned he “doesn’t agree” with some Liverpool supporters who think the full-back should have inked a new deal in January just to ensure his childhood club got a transfer fee. Last week, Alexander-Arnold quashed all the speculation about his future by announcing his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season when his contract runs out. Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong could replace Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Anfield outfit at the tender age of six, is set to make a high-profile switch to Madrid. This concludes an extended period of uncertainty, which culminated in Alexander-Arnold facing jeers from his own fans on Sunday after making a substitute appearance against Arsenal.
Liverpool faithful have expressed their discontent for several reasons, ranging from the player joining a major European competitor to accusations that he secretly agreed to join Madrid long ago, resulting in Liverpool missing out on a potential transfer fee.
Echoing these sentiments, Anfield stalwart Jamie Carragher weighed in during ‘The Overlap Fan Debate,’ stressing how the absence of any compensation for Liverpool’s role in developing him has tarnished his reputation among the fanbase.
Neville highlighted that the Reds had an opportunity to cash in on him during the January transfer window when Real Madrid tabled a £20 million ($26.6 million) offer, implying Liverpool have no grounds for discontent with the player. Yet, he criticised Real Madrid’s bid as too low and poorly timed, given it coincided with Liverpool’s Premier League title ambitions.
(Image: AP)
Neville remarked: “Liverpool could have taken £20M for him in January, which was four months before the end of his contract. I know that was something they were never going to do, but they could’ve got money for him.
“I thought it was a bit provocative from Real Madrid. I thought it was a p—take to be honest with you, but they (Liverpool) could’ve got £20m for him. It would have risked them winning the league, but they could’ve got cash for him.”
Defending Alexander-Arnold, Neville added: “(Liverpool) weren’t willing to risk their position to get £20M, but they wanted him to risk his position by signing a contract.”
Evidently opinionated, Neville said: “That’s the bit I don’t agree with. I don’t think he should’ve signed a contract just so the club got money.”
Carragher previously suggested that Alexander-Arnold or his agents might have prompted Madrid’s offer. Speaking to Neville, Carragher labelled them: “They’re bullies, Real Madrid. My problem with it is, they have bid on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold or his agent saying, ‘Put a bid in.’ Because they wouldn’t put a bid in, they wouldn’t do that unless they get the say so.
“But all those parties know Liverpool are going to turn that down anyway, so what are you trying to create? What noise are you (trying to make)? Liverpool are not going to sell Trent in January going for a league title. What I’m saying is, let’s not be naive here. No one puts bids in now unless they’ve already spoken to the player about it. If it gets accepted, would you come? People know before they put bids in.
“I think for that to come out when it did, I was not happy about that at all. For me, we’re probably not the best people to speak to about this because we’ve never been involved in a transfer and we’re probably two of the biggest club men who always put the club first.”
Neville replied: “You know when you bid £20M for that player, you know a club like Liverpool are not going to accept that bid. So you’re almost in some ways insulting them, you are.”
