Alexander-Arnold Faces Uncertain Future As Real Madrid Exit Looms

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Spanish adventure with Real Madrid appears to be careening toward an abrupt and disappointing conclusion, just six months after his much-heralded arrival from Liverpool. Once tipped to revolutionize the right flank at the Bernabéu, the English full-back now finds himself at the center of swirling exit rumors, a casualty of managerial upheaval, injuries, and unmet expectations in the Spanish capital.

Alexander-Arnold’s journey to Madrid began in the summer of 2025, when he allowed his Liverpool contract to run down and made the leap to La Liga. Real Madrid, eager to inject new energy and creativity into their defense, paid a modest fee to secure his services ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. The move was seen as a coup for Los Blancos—a chance to add one of the Premier League’s most dynamic defenders, a player who had redefined the full-back role in England, to their arsenal.

But the dream quickly soured. Injuries have plagued Alexander-Arnold’s first campaign in Spain, limiting him to just 11 appearances in all competitions. Of those, only seven were starts—a far cry from the ever-present figure he was at Anfield. The most recent blow came in early December, when he suffered a muscle injury in his left quadriceps. According to a Real Madrid statement on December 4, “Following tests carried out today on our player Trent Alexander-Arnold by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his left quadriceps. His recovery will be monitored.” Club sources expect him to be sidelined until early February.

On the pitch, Alexander-Arnold has struggled to replicate his Liverpool form. The numbers tell the story: just one assist, no goals, and a growing sense among the Real Madrid hierarchy that the Englishman has failed to adapt to the demands of La Liga. Reports from Spanish outlets have been scathing, with El Nacional claiming “the situation in Madrid has reached breaking point.” The coaching staff reportedly believe his “defensive fragility has been exposed” and that he “has not provided the imbalance or precision that was expected.”

Managerial turbulence has only compounded his woes. Xabi Alonso, who initially backed Alexander-Arnold and called him a “top player,” was dismissed following Real Madrid’s Super Cup defeat to Barcelona on January 11. In his place stepped Alvaro Arbeloa, himself a former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender, who has wasted little time in reshaping the squad. Arbeloa’s tenure got off to a rocky start with a humiliating loss to Albacete, but he steadied the ship with back-to-back wins, including a 6-1 Champions League thrashing of Monaco.

Yet, for Alexander-Arnold, the managerial change has brought little respite. Multiple reports indicate that Arbeloa held a “frank conversation” with the 27-year-old in mid-January, making it clear that he is not part of Real Madrid’s plans moving forward. According to El Nacional, Arbeloa told Alexander-Arnold “for his own good, he must look for an exit in the summer market.” The decision, sources say, is “not a disciplinary one, but a purely sporting one.” Arbeloa is said to have made it clear that Alexander-Arnold will not feature under his tutelage for the remainder of the campaign.

Despite these reports, some outlets, including Daily Mail Sport, contend that Alexander-Arnold has not been officially told to leave. They maintain that while a candid discussion did take place, no formal directive to find a new club has been issued. Nevertheless, the writing appears to be on the wall. Alexander-Arnold’s representatives are reportedly “working on possible destinations to relaunch his career,” with a return to the Premier League high on the agenda.

Manchester City have emerged as the frontrunners for his signature, with manager Pep Guardiola reportedly eager to bolster his options at right-back. According to sources close to the club, City “plan to strengthen the right side of their defence, at the request of Pep Guardiola.” Liverpool, too, have been mentioned as a potential landing spot, though Alexander-Arnold’s acrimonious departure last summer—he was booed by fans on his return to Anfield with Real Madrid—may complicate a reunion.

The prospect of a Premier League return has only intensified speculation about Alexander-Arnold’s next move. As of January 23, 2026, he is said to be “making progress in talks to leave Real Madrid” and “would not be opposed to leaving” the Spanish giants. For his part, Alexander-Arnold is reportedly aware that his time in Madrid has been deemed a “failure” and that “continuing on the bench for another year would only make his situation worse.”

His struggles in Spain have also had ramifications for his international career. Once a fixture in the England squad, Alexander-Arnold has featured just once for the Three Lions since Thomas Tuchel took over as manager. With the 2026 World Cup in North America looming, his hopes of making the squad now hang by a thread. The timing could hardly be worse for a player who, not long ago, was expected to play a key role for his country on the world stage.

Back in England, some believe Liverpool have felt his absence acutely. Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, remarked, “Those 12 games unbeaten feel very underwhelming, doesn’t it? There’s lots of things missing in that Liverpool team, they’re not as dynamic, especially in the full-back positions. They’re miles off from what we saw last season.” Shearer’s comments capture the sense that Alexander-Arnold’s departure has left a void in the Reds’ lineup—a void that even a club of Liverpool’s stature has struggled to fill.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid press on without him. Arbeloa, described by Cadena SER as “direct and approachable,” has reportedly eased tensions within the squad that had festered under Alonso. The team sits second in La Liga, just one point behind arch-rivals Barcelona, with a crucial clash against Villarreal on the horizon. For Alexander-Arnold, however, the focus is now on recovery, rehabilitation, and the search for a new beginning.

As the January transfer window edges toward its conclusion, the saga of Trent Alexander-Arnold stands as a cautionary tale of how quickly fortunes can change in football. From Anfield hero to Madrid misfit, his journey has been anything but straightforward. What comes next—be it a move to Manchester City, a return to Liverpool, or a fresh challenge elsewhere—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the next chapter in Alexander-Arnold’s career is about to begin, and all eyes will be on where he lands.