If Trent-Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool for Real Madrid, he will receive a huge pay rise, but that will not determine his fate.
It was at the age of six that a young Alexander-Arnold's journey with Liverpool began. With versatility as his strong point, the Englishman catapulted through the ranks to become an integral cog in Jurgen Klopp's Premier League and Champions League-winning machine.
Fast forward to the present, and the 26-year-old is now one of three first-team superstars with contracts expiring this year – alongside Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. But unlike his counterparts, Alexander-Arnold's potential suitor has made their intentions crystal clear.
Real Madrid undoubtedly want the Englishman as they have been courting him for some time. But with a bid on the table – and the Merseyside outfit doing their best to respond – it's now clear that if the Scouser leaves his team behind, he won't be doing so in the hunt for the biggest blow was not an issue. the cards at Anfield.
On New Year's Eve, Madrid immediately offered Arne Slot's side £20 million for the services of Alexander-Arnold – hoping to persuade them to a cheaper deal after being endlessly linked with snapping up the defender anyway in the summer on a free Bosman. It was quickly dismissed and considered an insult.
The Reds have since submitted their offer to Alexander-Arnold, a mega deal worth £78million over five years and a chance to establish himself as one of Anfield's all-time greats. It's a similar £300,000-a-week deal to the one on offer at the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning wherever Alexander-Arnold's chosen destination may be, he won't be affected by wages. The England defender currently earns around £180,000 per week. Wherever he ends up, he will almost double what he takes home.
Still, a hefty signing bonus – made possible by the fact that Real won't have to fork over a transfer fee to sign Alexander-Arnold in the summer – is admittedly a factor that cannot be ruled out. It would be a huge perk in a move, and potentially allow him to DOUBLE his new salary if he does move.
As the saga continues, Alexander-Arnold's involvement is being questioned following his performance in Liverpool's disappointing 2-2 draw with Manchester United. Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane even suggested that a move to League Two side Tranmere Rovers would be a better fit for the defender.
Van Dijk – another one whose future is up in the air – was visibly angry with him during the game, shouting in his direction more than once after a series of mistakes.
Ultimately, Alexander-Arnold has to make a decision, and it has to be made quickly. At some point, there has to be no more sitting on the fence and putting pen to paper to end the speculation once and for all. Or it could lead to even more disappointing displays and even risk derailing Liverpool's quest for the Premier League title and other trophies.
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