Why Real Madrid Rushed to Sign Trent Alexander-Arnold

England international Trent Alexander-Arnold has finally completed his move to Real Madrid after Liverpool accepted a fee to release the defender. It was reported that Liverpool have indicated that the fee is 10m euros (£8.4m), which Real Madrid have made as a single, up-front payment.

In other sources it was said that the Spanish club have paid a lower amount. A payment has been agreed to allow the England right-back to join Real in time to play in the Club World Cup. The 26-year-old would have been able to leave Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expired on 30 June.

Alexander-Arnold, who had already confirmed he would leave Liverpool this summer, has agreed a six-year deal with the German side. The contract includes a 1bn euro (£840m) buy-out clause. Fifa approved an additional window for this summer, from 1-10 June, allowing teams to register new players for the expanded month-long Club World Cup, which starts on 14 June and is being held in the United States.

Real Madrid’s opening group game is against Saudi side Al-Hilal on 18 June in Miami. Before that, Alexander-Arnold could play for England in their World Cup qualifier against Andorra (7 June). He may also play in their friendly against Senegal (10 June).

Alexander-Arnold has been with Liverpool since joining his hometown club at the age of six. He has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup, Uefa Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup with the Reds.

But earlier this month he said he had decided to leave to experience a “new challenge” and to push himself “personally and professionally”. The former Liverpool man scored 23 goals and provided 92 assists in 354 for the club.

He will join England team-mate Jude Bellingham in Madrid, plus former Liverpool and Real midfielder Xabi Alonso. Alonso, 43, has succeeded Carlo Ancelotti as Real boss after the club failed to win a major domestic or European trophy for the first time since 2020-21.