David Beckham has already warned Liverpool over Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer reality
David Beckham has already warned Liverpool why Trent Alexander-Arnold may want to seek a move to Real Madrid. The future of the Reds right-back has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, as the January transfer window officially opens.
Alexander-Arnold has now entered the final six months of his contract with Liverpool, meaning he can open talks with Madrid over agreeing a pre-contract move as a free agent next summer. The Reds remain in talks with the 26-year-old over extending his current deal at Anfield - as has been the case for several months.
News emerged on New Year's Eve that Madrid had made an approach to Liverpool over signing Alexander-Arnold in January, and pay a fee in the process. However, the ECHO understands that the Anfield bosses rejected the offer from Madrid, despite the risk of losing Alexander-Arnold for free in a few month's time.
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Liverpool have experience of some of their former stars leaving Anfield to move to the Santiago Bernabeu - most notably Michael Owen and Steve McManaman. Another who can be added to the list for another club is Beckham, who left rivals Manchester United in 2003 to move to the Spanish capital.
Beckham recently chatted about his decision to leave United - in favour of signing for Madrid - having progressed through the club's youth ranks at Old Trafford to make 392 appearances for the Red Devils. The 49-year-old offered a hint as to why other players, such as Alexander-Arnold, may want to pursue a move to the La Liga giants.
"As big as United was - that was my team - and I thought it was the biggest and best club in the world... but then you arrive at somewhere like Real Madrid and all of a sudden there's a different feeling," Beckham told CBS Sports Golazo in September.
"I must admit, when we [Man United] played Real Madrid in the Champions League at Old Trafford, I waited in the tunnel to watch the Real Madrid players walk off the bus. Because there's something about that club that's special.
"I was used to playing at United, I go to Madrid and I'm playing with Zizou [Zinedine Zidane], Roberto Carlos, Raul, Ronaldo, all of these great players. And I feel like I really have to get my game together."
