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Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool in June as Arne Slot prepares for life without his influential No.66.
The England international confirmed the expected news via an official club video at the start of May as he prepares to walk away from his boyhood club after the final game of the 2024/25 season.
Alexander-Arnold is widely expected to complete a free transfer move for a 'new challenge' at Real Madrid in the coming weeks but confirmation of a deal is not yet complete.
With Los Blancos fighting to retain their La Liga title, an update maybe delayed, with both the English and Spanish top-flight seasons ending on May 25.
The small print of Alexander-Arnold's contract is also important with the 26-year-old formally tied to Anfield until June 30.
Despite the academy-produced defender leaving Liverpool as a free agent, the club could still secure a fee, as Real Madrid assess their next move.
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When can Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid?
This question has two potential answers which both focus on Real Madrid's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
The USA-based competition kicks off on June 14 with Real Madrid's first game against Al Hilal on June 18.
Due to the reshaping of the competition to a summer event, FIFA will open the international transfer window for ten days from June 1, to allow teams to sign new players and register current stars if their contracts run into July.
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If Real Madrid want to sign Alexander-Arnold to compete in the competition they will need to agree an early release fee with Liverpool.
How much will Real Madrid pay for Trent?
According to previous reports via Diario AS, Real Madrid have offered €600,000 [$670,000] to speed up the deal. But Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes wants €1m [$1.1m].
Liverpool could also request that Trent waives his final month’s salary - worth around €200,000 [$225,000] - if he wants to leave early.
The decision lies firmly with Liverpool, as Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid have set out their wishes, but his contract remains in place.
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has backed the Reds to stick to their guns on the issue and claimed they can demand far in excess of the early offers.
"Real Madrid do not have the right to have him until June 30, that’s the contractual position," as per Football365.
"If you want this player to play in a tournament Liverpool aren’t in, it’s not Liverpool’s job to enhance Real Madrid’s opportunity. They're not a charity.
"I would bend them over and make them tie my shoelaces and give me an extraordinary amount of money, as much as I could get.
"What’s £500,000, that’s his wages? You want something I've got, what do I get in return? A promise you might do something for me in the future? No, what I want is £5m and see how much you’ll play towards that."
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