Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent
It’s the lure of a new challenge – the prestige of becoming a Galactico, that is understood to be the overriding motivation for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Indeed, while he will undoubtedly be well remunerated in the Spanish capital – with well-placed sources indicating that his basic wage in Madrid will be supplemented by a healthy commercial and image rights package – Liverpool were willing to make Alexander-Arnold one of the best paid defenders in Premier League history to sign a new contract at Anfield.
But you get the impression that money isn’t the sole driver for Alexander-Arnold. He’s won everything there is to win with Liverpool.
He is going out a winner, too; playing a key role in the club’s 20th league title triumph. Winning at Real Madrid puts you on different stratosphere, though.
The lure of Real, even for someone as emotionally attached to his surroundings as Alexander-Arnold is, is hard to resist.
Alexander-Arnold, upon his exit, will relinquish the vice-captaincy – a role Mohamed Salah is understood to be a prime candidate to fill ahead of next season.
Leaving home will carry an emotional burden but a new challenge is on the horizon for Alexander-Arnold.
Madrid is calling.
