Alexander-Arnold Frozen Out as Real Madrid Plan Summer Exit
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-anticipated move to Real Madrid has unravelled rapidly, with the England international now being told to find a new club after falling out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The former Liverpool defender arrived in Spain in 2025 after seeing out his contract at Anfield, with Madrid paying a modest fee to secure him early for the FIFA Club World Cup. Expectations were high following his debut in that competition, but his spell in white has stalled badly.
Alexander-Arnold built his reputation as a game-changing full-back on Merseyside, redefining the role with his passing range, creativity, and attacking output. Madrid believed those qualities would translate seamlessly, adding another supply line for Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, while offering tactical flexibility in possession.
Instead, his impact has been limited. Injury problems disrupted his rhythm, and he has managed just 11 appearances this season, with his last outing coming on December 3. According to reports in Spain, the situation has now reached a decisive point.
This matters because Real Madrid are in the middle of a squad recalibration. With standards unforgiving and competition fierce, patience has worn thin. Interim head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is said to have concluded that Alexander-Arnold does not fit the club’s immediate sporting plans, a verdict that could trigger a summer departure.
The atmosphere around the Bernabeu has reflected that shift. Alexander-Arnold has slipped down the pecking order, even with Jude Bellingham alongside him as a familiar presence. Coaches believe the adaptation never fully happened, particularly in a system that demands defensive reliability as much as technical quality.
Key concerns have centred on his defensive output and predictability. Reports claim his vulnerabilities have been exposed, while his attacking contributions have fallen short of expectations. The club insist the decision is sporting rather than disciplinary, but the outcome is the same.
Alexander-Arnold’s Madrid chapter never produced a defining moment. There were flashes of his trademark distribution, yet no sustained run of performances to justify his place. With Arbeloa unwilling to reconsider his stance, his final appearance for the club may already be behind him.
The second half of the season has effectively passed him by. While former coach Xabi Alonso had argued for patience and support during a natural adjustment period, Alonso’s own departure ended that protection. The new regime has taken a harder line.
Late developments suggest a clean break is now preferred. Madrid are prepared to sanction a sale in the summer, believing prolonging the situation would damage both player and club. Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been advised to seek an exit for his own good.
The decision carries wider implications. Alexander-Arnold had worked his way back into England contention, with an eye on the 2026 World Cup under Thomas Tuchel. A prolonged absence from regular football would severely weaken those prospects.
Attention now turns to what comes next. A return to the Premier League is being discussed, with Liverpool emerging as a possible destination despite the strained ending to his first spell. For Alexander-Arnold, the priority is clear: find stability, regain form, and restart a career that stalled almost as soon as it reached Madrid.