Could Trent Alexander-Arnold be playing in Charlotte with Real Madrid next month?

By Brian Maurer

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Photo courtesy of Liverpool FC)

According to an exclusive report by Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News, Real Madrid is looking to negotiate with Liverpool to release Trent Alexander-Arnold before his contract expiration date on June 30.

Alexander-Arnold verbally agreed to join Real Madrid after making his announcement that he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. Solhekol's report stated that Madrid reached out to Liverpool after Alexander-Arnold's announcement to enquire about the possibility of releasing him early. This would mean he could join the team for their Club World Cup Group Stage beginning June 18. Madrid would need to make an offer to Liverpool for the right back's early release.

Solhekol mentioned that the other complication to this release deal is that Madrid's Head Coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is leaving the club. This becomes more complicated because Madrid's next coach will be a part of that decision-making process. Since their coaching search is ongoing, there is no clear answer as to how emphatic the new coach will be to getting Alexander-Arnold to the club quickly.

If Madrid signs Alexander-Arnold with an early release, he can join the club stateside. This would include the possibility that he plays in Charlotte for Madrid's match against Pachuca on Sunday, June 22. Regardless, if the Englishman does sign with Madrid, he will be able to participate in the knockout rounds as participating clubs in the Club World Cup can begin registering players on June 27.

During Alexander-Arnold's announcement that he was leaving Liverpool, he said, "I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally."

The question remains whether Alexander-Arnold's new challenge could begin in Bank of America Stadium.