As Real Madrid push harder to sign their dream right back transfer target, Trent Alexander-Arnold, his current club Liverpool seem increasingly resigned to the fact that their generational talent will be leaving for free this summer.
Real Madrid have been even more interested in Alexander-Arnold, a long-time top target of president Florentino Perez’s, after veteran right back Dani Carvajal’s early season-ending ACL tear.
Now, Alexander-Arnold is poised to become the successor to Carvajal just as he hits his prime years and Carva finally enters the twilight of a legitimately GOATed career at the right back position.
According to a report from Sky Sports Germany, via Madrid Xtra, Alexander-Arnold’s future seems to be so removed from Anfield and so close to the Santiago Bernabeu that Liverpool have started to actively look for his replacement.
It will be impossible to replace Alexander-Arnold directly, but, presumably, Liverpool will be looking for a young, highly gifted attacking right back with end product.
The name that will jump out the most is actually a player who was linked to Real Madrid as a Trent alternative, and that would be Xabi Alonso’s gem right wing back Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the Dutchman is even more lacking defensively than Alexander-Arnold, to the point where he is closer to a winger than a fullback. Still, he is world-class offensively and someone Arne Slot could make useful at right back.
Real Madrid are clearly the favorites to win the Alexander-Arnold sweepstakes, and, at this point, all the big reporters are making it seem as though Perez has already won the battle.
Joe Soriano covers West Ham for Green Street Hammers and writes about Real Madrid for The Real Champs. He has extensive experience covering world football since 2014. Joe is an editor for The Trivela Effect, where he covers the biggest clubs in European football. He has watched professional sports regularly since 2002 and can be found playing the same sports he covers with his friends.