Overview

• Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires on June 30, with a free transfer to Real Madrid all but finalized.
• Liverpool's delayed contract negotiations and Real Madrid's pre-contract strategy contributed to the 26-year-old's decision to move after 20 years at the club.
• Ex-players and pundits, including Arsène Wenger, view this as part of a broader shift in the transfer market, with elite players increasingly avoiding big-fee moves by running down their contracts.
• Real Madrid is reportedly monitoring other Liverpool players, such as Ibrahima Konaté, whose contracts are nearing expiration, signaling a potential long-term recruitment strategy.
• Alexander-Arnold has faced mixed reactions from fans and pundits, with some praising his contributions to Liverpool and others questioning his fit in Real Madrid's starting XI.