Liverpool receive Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer bombshell that nobody expected at this stage

Real Madrid are reportedly set to do an unexpected thing to tempt Trent Alexander-Arnold to join the club.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, is set to see his Liverpool contract expire at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a move to the Spanish giants.

As it stands, the right-back could join the La Liga outfit for free.

However, according to reports from The Sun, Carlo Ancelotti wants the player in time for this season’s Club World Cup, which gets underway on June 15.

This would require an agreement between the clubs – including a transfer fee – that would allow Alexander-Arnold to be released from his current contract, which is set to expire on June 30, earlier than expected.

The Premier League's summer transfer window opens on June 12, meaning new signings can be registered for the Club World Cup. But La Liga's does not open until July 1, after the tournament starts.

And Liverpool’s season may not end until May 31 if they reach the Champions League final.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's future is unclear (Credit:Getty)

But FIFA have already approved “an exceptional registration window from 1 to 10 June 2025 prior to the start of the competition.”

“Following the deadline for the submission of the squad lists, as some players’ contracts will expire mid-competition, participating clubs may replace players during a restricted in-competition period from 27 June to 3 July 2025 within a set limit and according to specific limitations, including the fact that a “standard” registration window must be open for the club at the time,” FIFA said in a statement in October.

“However, the objective is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation.”

Unlike Mohamed Salah, whose contract is also set to expire, Alexander-Arnold has been tight-lipped about his future. The defender will be hoping to secure his second Premier League and Champions League crown this season regardless of where his future lies - with his side 13 points clear at the top of the league heading into gameweek 29.

The Reds also secured a 1-0 victory against PSG in their round of 16 first-leg clash at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.