- Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with Real Madrid as his deal nears expiry
- Former Barcelona striker Lineker says Alexander-Arnold would thrive in La Liga
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
Gary Lineker has urged Trent Alexander-Arnold to move to Real Madrid and said the Liverpool full back will ‘love it’ living in the Spanish capital.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, has been the subject of much debate over the Christmas period with his contract set to expire at the end of this season. He can legally talk to and sign an agreement to join one of them from New Year’s Day.
And Lineker has shouldered into the conversation on his The Rest Is Football podcast.
‘It seems to make a lot of sense to me,’ said the outgoing Match of the Day host. ‘Free transfer is how Real Madrid have done things recently.
‘He is really close to Jude Bellingham and would fit in there beautifully. He would be a massive success. They wouldn’t focus on his defending critically as we do here – overly in my opinion. It’s a great fit and would be a huge loss for Liverpool.
‘But they have a youngster coming through in Conor Bradley who has done really well. I think it is highly likely that will happen, although I have no inside information whatsoever.’
Alexander-Arnold is set to become a free agent when his deal expires at the end of the season
Gary Lineker, who played for Barcelona in the eighties, says the 26-year-old will thrive in Spain
Alexander-Arnold has consistently been linked with a move to Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season – and is close with England team-mate and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham
Mail Sport reported this weekend how Real Madrid are growing in confidence they can tempt Alexander-Arnold to join them, according to sources in Spain. No agreement has been reached and all rests on the full back’s decision.
Alexander-Arnold is committed to Liverpool for now and not distracted by the outside noise — and boss Arne Slot has also said he is calm about the situation.
Until a pre-contract agreement is signed – which is no certainty – Liverpool will continue to work tirelessly to renew the deals of Alexander-Arnold, captain Virgil van Dijk and top scorer Mohamed Salah.
‘How do you say no to Real Madrid?’ added Lineker. ‘Liverpool is an incredible football club, but a fresh challenge, playing abroad, I did it myself (he moved from Everton to Barcelona in 1986. ‘Playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is truly special.
‘However strong and powerful and rich the Premier League is, the world’s greats still go to Barcelona and Real Madrid. The only exception in recent times is Erling Haaland. That aside, they go there.
‘He will love it there. It will be amazing. They’ll worship and appreciate his passing range. He is in the prime of his career. I wouldn’t begrudge him.’
Meanwhile, Liverpool are sweating on scan results after Joe Gomez injured his hamstring during Sunday’s 5-0 win at West Ham.
