After a blockbuster transfer in the summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold may have failed to secure a place at Real Madrid and is now facing the possibility of returning to the Premier League, with Manchester City emerging as the most active suitor.
Trent Alexander-Arnold only joined Real Madrid this past June after leaving Liverpool, with a €10 million fee paid to terminate his contract one month early. Although he impressed during his unveiling by speaking in Spanish, his performances on the pitch have been extremely disappointing.
Reports in Spain suggest that coach Xabi Alonso is likely to drop Trent from his plans due to his dip in form and the return of Dani Carvajal. Real Madrid fan Coto Matamoro even bluntly stated: “This was a careless signing. He has contributed nothing. If things continue this way, Carvajal will be the starter.”
Beyond the risk of losing his starting spot, the latest transfer reports from Indykaila reveal that Real Madrid are already considering selling Alexander-Arnold in the upcoming winter transfer window—opening the door for a Premier League return for the 26-year-old defender.
⚡ Man City eye Arnold as Kyle Walker’s replacement
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are closely monitoring Alexander-Arnold and could make a surprise offer in January 2026. Pep Guardiola had previously tried twice to bring the 26-year-old right-back to the Etihad, and now, with Arnold facing the prospect of a lengthy spell on the bench at Real Madrid, City are ready to act.
The Etihad side are searching for a long-term successor to Kyle Walker. If Arnold continues to struggle at the Bernabéu, this transfer could become a real possibility.
However, the biggest obstacle remains the cost. Arnold’s contract with Real Madrid runs until June 2031, with an estimated market value of €69.4 million. Still, Los Blancos may be forced to sell at a loss, having originally signed him on a relatively cheap fee but with a high salary package.
At the start of the 2025/26 season, Alexander-Arnold was given a starting role in Real’s 1–0 win over Osasuna. Yet, in the very next match against Real Oviedo, he was benched, with Carvajal not only playing the full 90 minutes but also captaining the team.
The Spanish media have not held back their criticism of Trent. Mundo Deportivo described him as “not at his best” and “almost invisible” in the Osasuna match—clear signs of disappointment in a player once renowned for his creativity and ball-playing ability.
Even so, coach Xabi Alonso has urged fans to remain patient and give Alexander-Arnold more time to adapt and prove himself.
The possibility of Trent returning to the Premier League has left Liverpool supporters shocked and uneasy. After all, the defender had cut ties and ended his long journey with the club to join Real Madrid.
The prospect of him wearing a Manchester City shirt—the Reds’ fiercest rivals in the Premier League—would feel like a “stab in the back” for The Kop faithful.
That said, nothing has been decided yet. Real Madrid will not easily let go of a star whose contract runs until 2031.