Trent Alexander-Arnold Already Lined Up for Shock Premier League Return – Report | OneFootball

Could Trent Alexander-Arnold Really Join Manchester City After His Madrid Move?

Reports emerging from Spain have raised eyebrows across the footballing world, with suggestions that Manchester City could be considering an ambitious move for Trent Alexander-Arnold in January. The news, originally reported by CaughtOffside, points to Pep Guardiola’s admiration for the right-back and the uncertainty surrounding his role at Real Madrid.

Concerns Over Playing Time in Spain

Alexander-Arnold only joined Los Blancos this summer, ending his long association with Liverpool when his contract expired in June. Yet doubts over his standing at the Bernabéu have surfaced already. Dani Carvajal’s return from injury has seen him regain the starting position at right-back. He captained Madrid in a 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo at the weekend, leaving the Englishman to watch on from the bench.

Photo: IMAGO

Spanish media have not been kind to the former Liverpool man. Mundo Deportivo described his display against Osasuna as “far from his best” and that he “went largely unnoticed”. It is early days, but such reviews are unlikely to boost his confidence.

Xabi Alonso has urged patience with his new recruit, yet the fact remains that competition for places in Madrid is as fierce as anywhere in world football.

Why City Could Enter the Picture

According to the report shared by Indy Kaila via CaughtOffside, Manchester City are monitoring developments closely. Guardiola is said to value Alexander-Arnold’s creative skillset, and the possibility of him being unsettled in Spain has put City on alert.

If relations between the player and Real Madrid deteriorate, the Premier League champions could be poised to act. Such a move would represent one of the most controversial transfers in recent memory, given Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool legacy.

Would Trent Consider a Premier League Return So Soon?

It seems premature to expect a swift departure from Madrid. Alexander-Arnold signed a long-term contract until 2031, and Real would hardly be inclined to sanction a cut-price exit. From the player’s perspective, leaving so soon after forcing through a high-profile move might also damage his reputation.

Yet football is unpredictable. Should the full-back find himself out of favour for an extended period, the lure of playing under Guardiola in England could hold appeal.

What It Could Mean for Liverpool Supporters

For Liverpool fans, the thought of a club legend lining up for City is difficult to stomach. Alexander-Arnold grew up with the Reds, broke into the first team as a teenager and lifted every major honour under Jurgen Klopp. To see him in sky blue would be a painful reminder of the ruthlessness of modern football.

Still, with only two La Liga games gone in the new season, this feels more like speculation than substance. Much will depend on how Alonso balances his squad in the coming months.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this story feels like noise more than reality. Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Anfield was difficult enough, and while many understood his desire for a fresh challenge, few expected him to struggle for minutes so quickly. Real Madrid are notoriously demanding, but it seems hasty to suggest he would walk away after just weeks in La Liga.

The suggestion of Manchester City as a destination adds fuel to the fire. City are Liverpool’s fiercest rivals of the last decade, and the idea of Trent playing under Pep Guardiola feels almost unthinkable. He may have closed his Liverpool chapter, but choosing City would create long-lasting tension with the fanbase that supported him from childhood.

Liverpool themselves are in a strong position under Arne Slot. The Premier League title in his debut campaign has set a high bar, and back-to-back wins at the start of this season show momentum is intact. Supporters are focused on building on that success, not dwelling on a player who has already moved on.

Ultimately, the credibility of this report rests on how unsettled Alexander-Arnold feels in Spain. Unless his situation deteriorates further, it is hard to see Real Madrid even entertaining an approach. For Liverpool fans, this rumour will sting, but there is every reason to doubt it materialises into anything more.