Alexander-Arnold, whose contract with Liverpool expires on June 30, 2025, has confirmed his departure from the club and is set to join Real Madrid on a five-year deal as a free agent.
However, Madrid are eager to have him available for their Club World Cup group stage matches against Al-Hilal (June 18), Pachuca (June 22), and RB Salzburg (June 27), prompting their approach to Liverpool last week following his exit announcement.
The Spanish club has not offered a financial package, hoping Liverpool will allow an early release without a fee, with suggestions that Alexander-Arnold might forgo his June salary to facilitate the move.
Liverpool, however, have rejected this proposal, maintaining that any early departure requires a transfer fee, estimated at €1.5–2 million, including a nominal sum below €1 million plus saved wages, per Diario AS and MARCA.
The Premier League champions, hurt by the exit of their academy star, are firm on receiving compensation, and Alexander-Arnold would need to personally request the early release for negotiations to progress.
Without an agreement, he would miss Madrid’s group stage games but could join mid-tournament for the knockout stages (starting June 28) via FIFA’s special registration window from June 27 to July 3, as noted by Sky Sports.
