Jude Bellingham's role in Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool exit revealed | OneFootball

Contrary to widespread speculation, Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool ahead of a widely tipped move to Real Madrid had little to do with the prospect of playing alongside his "great friend" Jude Bellingham, a report has claimed.

Alexander-Arnold ended the months of speculation surrounding his Liverpool future by announcing the decision to leave this summer. There has not yet been confirmation of his arrival in the Spanish capital, but the Santiago Bernabeu has long been billed as his next destination.

Real Madrid boast many alluring qualities. The record European champions rarely go a season without lifting a piece of silverware, let alone challenging for one, and offer Alexander-Arnold a loftier platform to achieve his self-confessed dream of winning the Ballon d'Or.

The potential to play alongside Bellingham has also been billed as a key selling point, although The Times claim that this link-up is not a "deciding factor".

Money also appears to have been a secondary source of motivation for Alexander-Arnold, who reportedly turned down a "significant" pay rise thrust his way by Liverpool. Instead, the 26-year-old who became the youngest Englishman to ever win every major piece of silverware at the same club is going in search of a "new challenge".

Playing alongside Bellingham is nothing new for Alexander-Arnold. The duo has won 12 England caps alongside one another, including four at last summer's European Championship. Bellingham pointedly celebrated his opening goal at the tournament against Serbia with Alexander-Arnold.

When asked about his role of 'Agent Jude' before Real Madrid travelled to Anfield in November, Bellingham bluntly shut down such speculation. "I'll be next to him in the national team so that's guaranteed," he shrugged.

"It's disrespectful to talk about him before such a big game because he's a Liverpool player. The important thing is to take the pressure off from him. He's a great friend of mine and normally I want him to do well, regardless of tomorrow."

Those two friends could soon be reunited, although the bond they share is only added bonus rather than the driving force behind Alexander-Arnold's impending Madrid arrival.