Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 was initially met with high expectations, but recent reports suggest that his time at the Santiago Bernabéu might be shorter than anticipated. After leaving Liverpool on a sour note following their record-breaking 20th league title win, Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid for a fee of around £10 million, with the Spanish giants keen to secure his services before his Liverpool contract expired. He signed a six-year contract, becoming the seventh Englishman to play for Los Blancos, and reunited with his friend Jude Bellingham.

However, the dream start has not materialized. The 25-year-old right-back has struggled to establish himself as a key figure in the squad, with injuries and inconsistent form plaguing his initial months in Spain. He has made only 11 appearances for Real Madrid, including eight in La Liga. This has led to frustration and questions about his role within the team.

According to reports, new Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa has had a frank conversation with Alexander-Arnold, making it clear that he is not part of the team's plans and advising him to seek opportunities elsewhere in the summer. It's claimed that Arbeloa has been "clear, honest, and direct" in the meeting, with the club agreeing that Alexander-Arnold should move on sooner than expected for the sake of his career. "Defensive frailties have been exposed in several matches" as well as a lack of impact going forward.

Adding to the uncertainty, there are claims that Alexander-Arnold himself is unhappy in Madrid and has asked to leave next summer, with a preference for a move to Bayern Munich. One source claims that Alexander-Arnold has "grown frustrated" at Real Madrid because of a "lack of clarity and communication while recovering from injury".

Despite the rumors, some sources suggest that Real Madrid will not sell Trent Alexander-Arnold. They believe it is too early to give up on him, drawing parallels with Luka Modric's initial struggles at the club before becoming a legend. Real Madrid signed Alexander-Arnold not only to compete with Dani Carvajal but also to eventually replace him in the long term.

However, Real Madrid may be eyeing Sevilla right-back José Angel as a potential replacement or competition for Alexander-Arnold. Florentino Perez is reportedly growing frustrated with Alexander-Arnold's injury problems and is looking to add depth to the right-back position.

As the January transfer window progresses, the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid remains uncertain. While some reports suggest he is already on the outs and seeking a move elsewhere, others claim it is too early to write him off. It remains to be seen whether he can turn things around and establish himself as a key player for Los Blancos, or if his time in Spain will be short-lived. According to reports, Alexander-Arnold is prepared to reassess his future after the 2026 World Cup.