Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to stay at the Santiago Bernabéu for the remainder of the season, dismissing speculation regarding a mid-season return to the Premier League, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague via talkSPORT. Despite falling behind in the tactical pecking order under manager José Mourinho, the 28-year-old defender intends to fight for his place in the Spanish capital rather than pursue a transfer during the January window.
Alexander-Arnold originally transferred from Liverpool to Real Madrid in 2025. While TEAMtalk reported that Liverpool are monitoring the player’s situation alongside other clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, Balague stated that the defender has no immediate plans to leave Spain. “What he’s feeling right now is ‘Okay, it’s not my time, but it will be my time, I will prepare for my time’,” Balague told talkSPORT, noting that Mourinho has encouraged the Englishman to keep working through his current benching.
Tactical Shifts and Competition at the Bernabéu
Since arriving in Madrid, Alexander-Arnold has faced significant hurdles, including injuries during his initial campaign and increased competition on the right side of the defense. Under José Mourinho, the former Liverpool academy graduate has found himself behind new signing Denzel Dumfries and midfielder-turned-right-back Federico Valverde in the squad hierarchy. In recent matches, such as Real Madrid’s victory over Barcelona in El Clásico and a fixture against Sevilla, Valverde and Dumfries have routinely taken the starting roles, while defender Éder Militão has also been deployed at right-back.
According to Real Madrid journalist Ben Fernandes Santos, writing on X, Mourinho’s coaching staff views Valverde as the superior option at right-back, making Alexander-Arnold’s time on the bench a purely technical decision. Furthermore, SPORTbible noted that the England international has featured in only six matches this season, with just three coming from the starting lineup.
Evaluating a Potential Return to Anfield
Rumors of a potential reunion with Liverpool surfaced as playing time dwindled, with former player Charlie Austin telling talkSPORT that his former club should bring Alexander-Arnold back to the Premier League to prevent him from joining a domestic rival like Manchester City or Chelsea. However, reports from Football Insider and journalist Peter O’Rourke indicate that Liverpool currently hold no concrete interest in bringing the defender back to Anfield, with sources noting he is not actively on their transfer radar for January.
Meanwhile, pundit Stan Collymore told Betarades that he could envision a future scenario where supporters eventually welcome the right-back back to Merseyside, or alternatively see him follow Harry Kane’s path to a club like Bayern Munich. For now, however, Yahoo Sports reports that Real Madrid are not actively forcing the player out, though sources indicate the club would evaluate reasonable future offers if his playing time fails to increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid?
Alexander-Arnold moved from Liverpool to Real Madrid in 2025 after running down his contract at Anfield, with Los Blancos paying a reported £10m fee for an early exit so he could participate in the Club World Cup.
Which managers have overseen Real Madrid during Alexander-Arnold’s tenure?
According to SPORTbible, the club’s on-field struggles resulted in Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa departing before José Mourinho returned to take charge of the team.
What is the duration of Alexander-Arnold’s contract in Spain?
The English right-back signed a long-term contract with Real Madrid that runs until 2031.
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