Trent Alexander set to leave Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced that will leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of his contract this summer.
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Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
ESPN reported that the defender rejected a deal at Anfield that would have made him one of the highest-paid fullbacks.
However, his desire for a fresh challenge outweighed the financial and sporting package offered by Liverpool.
Additionally, ESPN noted in March that Real Madrid are “very optimistic” about signing Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer.
The LaLiga giants have yet to finalize an agreement with the 26-year-old.
Nonetheless, the England international announced his decision in a statement on Monday.
“I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here.”
“Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I’ve got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that.”
Leaving Liverpool after 20 years
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool at the age of six.
The right-back has made 349 appearances for Liverpool, winning seven major trophies during his time at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold informed Liverpool coach Arne Slot that he would not sign a contract extension at the end of March.
Liverpool kept the news private to avoid distracting from the club’s successful pursuit of the Premier League title.
Sources have said that negotiations between Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, were cordial and constructive.
However, Liverpool accepted that Alexander-Arnold would not commit to a new contract.
“There’s a lot I would like to say,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“The main thing is a massive thank you [the supporters]. You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there.”
“I’ve felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me, I’ve loved every single minute of it. I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club.”
“I’m just hoping that we’re able to carry on winning games, the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season.”
“It has been an amazing season. It has been amazing to be part of it, and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done.”
