Real Madrid are pushing to sign Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold before the Club World Cup this summer, even though his contract with the Premier League side doesn’t expire until June 30. The Spanish giants aim to have Alexander-Arnold available for their opening match against Al Hilal on June 18 in Miami.
Alexander-Arnold, 25, is set to become a free agent at the end of June. However, FIFA has introduced special transfer windows for teams participating in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup, which could allow Real Madrid to secure his services earlier than expected.
FIFA’s special transfer window for Club World Cup participants runs from June 1 to June 10, giving clubs a brief period to sign and register new players. Additionally, teams can add up to two players to their squads during an in-tournament window between June 27 and July 3.
“If they want him to play in the group stage, they’ll need to negotiate with Liverpool for an early release,” Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol explained. “Real Madrid could decide to wait until July, but that would mean missing Alexander-Arnold for the initial games.”
Liverpool’s season concludes with a match against Crystal Palace on May 25. Alexander-Arnold could also feature for England in Euro 2025 qualifiers against Andorra on June 7 and Senegal on June 10, adding further complexity to the timing of any potential transfer.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible involvement in the Club World Cup. The 40-year-old is out of contract with Al-Nassr this summer, and since the Saudi club failed to qualify for the tournament, Ronaldo may seek a short-term deal with a participating team to extend his career on the world stage. His long-time rival Lionel Messi is already confirmed to play after Inter Miami secured a spot.
The 2025 Club World Cup marks the first edition of the revamped tournament, now featuring 32 teams and held every four years. Taking place over 29 days in 12 stadiums across the United States, it promises to be the most prestigious version of the competition to date.
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Alexander-Arnold underscores their determination to strengthen their squad for a shot at global dominance.