Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. (Image: Getty/Express Sport)
Trent Alexander-Arnold was encouraged to leave Liverpool for a lucrative new life at Real Madrid by another English icon, Gary Lineker, who made the daunting decision to head to Spain during his own playing career.
Alexander-Arnold has reportedly turned down several attempts to renew his contract with the Reds and it appears likely he will leave Anfield next summer.
The right-back will be free to open negotiations on a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club from January 1, with his contract set to expire on June 30, 2025.
Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid are frontrunners to sign the England international on a free transfer, although no deal has yet been agreed.
The Spanish champions will be able to offer the full-back a bumper salary and signing fee, repeating the same trick they used to sign Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.
And Lineker believes the 26-year-old cannot turn down the opportunity to join the La Liga giants, insisting he would enjoy his time in Spain if he headed to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It makes a lot of sense to me,” Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. “[Signing players on a] Free transfer is how Real Madrid have been doing things recently.
“He's really close to Jude Bellingham and would fit in wonderfully. He'd be hugely successful. They wouldn't focus on his defense critically like we do here – too much in my opinion.
Mark Hughes and Gary Lineker (r) in Barcelona (Image: Getty)
“It's a good choice and it would be a huge loss for Liverpool. But they have a youngster coming in, Conor Bradley, who has done very well.
“I think it’s very likely that this will happen, even though I don’t have any inside information.”
Playing in La Liga is a topic Lineker is certainly qualified to talk about. Shortly after winning the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup, Lineker left Everton for Barcelona in a £2.8 million move.
He quickly established himself at the Camp Nou – scoring a hat-trick in the Clasico against Madrid – and established himself as a fan favorite after scoring 42 goals in 103 La Liga appearances before returning to Tottenham three years later. late.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could leave Liverpool this summer (Image: Getty)
Addressing Alexander-Arnold's decision over his future at Liverpool ahead of a possible move to the Spanish capital, the Match of the Day host admitted Alexander-Arnold might find their advances too tempting to refuse.
“How can you say no to Real Madrid?” he added. “Liverpool is an incredible football club, but a new challenge, playing abroad, I did it myself [moving to Spain]. Playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is really special.
“As strong, powerful and rich as the Premier League is, the big guys in the world still go to Barcelona and Real Madrid. The only exception lately is Erling Haaland. That aside, they go.
“He's going to love it there. It'll be amazing. They'll love it and appreciate his passing range. He's in his prime. I wouldn't blame him.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1994541/Trent-Alexander-Arnold-Real-Madrid-Gary-Lineker