Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer rumors intensify as reports suggest Real Madrid are confident in securing the Liverpool defender. However, should the England international complete a summer switch to the Spanish giants, he will be compelled to relinquish his iconic shirt number 66 due to LaLiga regulations.
Real Madrid Confident in Alexander-Arnold Acquisition
Reports emanating from Spain on Tuesday indicated that Real Madrid are increasingly optimistic about landing the Liverpool and England right-back during the upcoming transfer window. Sources suggest a deal is ‘all set and done’ when his current contract concludes this summer.
Conversely, sources close to Liverpool maintain they have received no formal indication of any agreed or finalized agreement. Despite this, anxieties are mounting among Reds supporters regarding the potential departure of the 26-year-old from Anfield in the next campaign.
LaLiga Kit Number Restrictions
Should Alexander-Arnold’s prospective move materialize as depicted in Spanish media, the Liverpool native would be obligated to abandon his cherished squad number. This is due to established regulations within LaLiga that stipulate limitations on jersey numbers.
Throughout his ascent through Liverpool’s youth system to becoming a pivotal figure under both Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot, Alexander-Arnold has retained his initial squad designation, 66, at Anfield. This is in contrast to his international appearances for England where he has donned numbers 2, 7, 8, and 10.
LaLiga statutes explicitly state that participanting players are restricted from utilizing numbers exceeding 25. This corresponds to the maximum squad capacity permitted for registration during the league season.
Rule Prevents Number Retirement
These regulations not only prevent players such as Alexander-Arnold from using higher preferred numbers but also impede LaLiga clubs from retiring shirt numbers as tributes to legendary players. Examples include potential retirements for Lionel Messi at Barcelona or Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
Retiring a number would force LaLiga teams to reduce their registered squads to just 24 players to accommodate the honorary vacancy.
Youth Players Exempt from Numbering Rule
An exception to this rule exists for youth team players who are eligible to play for the senior team but not formally registered. Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, for instance, has been permitted to wear No 35 during the current season.
Madrid’s Previous Interest and January Approach
Real Madrid, having secured legal clearance to engage with Alexander-Arnold from January 1st, reportedly initiated direct contact with Liverpool on New Year’s Eve. Their intention was to facilitate an immediate transfer; however, their advances were promptly rejected.
Liverpool, then competing across four fronts, deemed it imprudent to capitalize on their prized right-back in January, despite Madrid’s willingness to offer approximately £20 million for his early acquisition. This decision has since proven to be strategically sound for the Premier League club.
Transfer Move Expected to be a ‘Formality’
Sources within the Spanish capital suggest a long-held expectation that Alexander-Arnold will ultimately join Real Madrid. Club President Florentino Perez reportedly aimed to maintain respectful relations with Liverpool and avoid premature public announcements. Insiders in Madrid now consider the completion of the transfer to be a mere formality.
Alexander-Arnold is currently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during Liverpool’s Champions League campaign. His anticipated return to action is projected for sometime in April.
Contract Expiry and Liverpool Talks
Alexander-Arnold’s current contract is set to expire in late June, coinciding with the contract conclusions of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool are reportedly engaged in discussions to extend all three contracts although no definitive agreements have yet been reached.
Amidst escalating transfer speculation, betting on Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid this summer was suspended. This action followed an unusual surge in bets placed across various platforms on Tuesday morning.
Alexander-Arnold’s Anfield Career to Date
Having joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of six, Alexander-Arnold debuted for the first team as an 18-year-old in a 2018 EFL Cup match against Tottenham.
Since then, he has accumulated 349 appearances, becoming a cornerstone of Liverpool’s significant successes in recent years.
Key Stats and Achievements
- Appearances: 349
- Goals: 22
- Assists: 87
- Trophies Won: 8 (including Premier League and Champions League)
- England Caps: 33