"Well, that corner wasn’t taken that quickly," joked a Liverpool fan on social media, referencing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s legendary assist against Barcelona in 2018. What once seemed like mere speculation is now close to reality: Alexander-Arnold is set to leave his boyhood club when his contract expires in June, with Real Madrid emerging as his likely destination.

A New Challenge in Spain

According to Sky Sports, negotiations with the Spanish giants are well underway, and the right-back prefers a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season. After playing over 300 games for Liverpool and becoming the most assist-providing defender in Premier League history, he wants to end his time in England on a high, chasing every available trophy—Premier League, Champions League, and various domestic and international titles.

One of the key reasons behind his decision is the chance to play alongside his close friend and England teammate Jude Bellingham. Additionally, the prospect of joining a squad featuring Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior is an exciting challenge. Financially, despite being Liverpool’s third-highest earner, he remains behind stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, which may have played a role in his decision.

Liverpool Won’t Make His Exit Official Yet

A winter transfer was never an option, as leaving midway through the season would mean missing out on a proper farewell. With Liverpool in contention for the Premier League title, Alexander-Arnold wants to celebrate with the fans—a moment he missed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The club will hold off announcing his departure until the season ends to avoid distractions in the final stretch. His decision could also impact the futures of Van Dijk and Salah, who are also out of contract in June. As for his replacement, Conor Bradley, a 21-year-old academy graduate, has already shown promise in the Champions League.

Now, the big question remains: what will happen to the iconic Anfield mural that reads, “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream came true”? Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool journey is nearing its end, and soon, a new chapter in Madrid will begin.