Three questions Real Madrid must answer before completing Trent Alexander-Arnold deal | OneFootball

Real Madrid are on the verge of completing a high-profile signing with Trent Alexander-Arnold close to joining the Spanish giants.

According to multiple reports, the 26-year-old English right-back is already being visualised in Real Madrid’s iconic white kit.

In fact, market experts believe an agreement has been reached between the player and Real Madrid, with contract terms now being prepared.

This signing, however, comes with several questions that Real Madrid must address, especially concerning their defensive setup.

When will Alexander-Arnold arrive?

The timeline for Alexander-Arnold’s arrival is not straightforward due to the peculiar nature of the current season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is close to signing for Real Madrid. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Normally, a player would be expected to join his new club at the end of the season. However, the inclusion of the Club World Cup this season has complicated the usual transfer proceedings.

FIFA has granted national federations the authority to open an exceptional transfer window from June 1 to June 10 exclusively for clubs participating in the Club World Cup.

Real Madrid are part of this tournament, which will be held in the United States, but Liverpool are not.

With Liverpool already out of both the Champions League and FA Cup, their sole focus remains on the Premier League, where they lead the table with nine games remaining.

With the English league set to conclude on May 25, it will be interesting to see how Real Madrid facilitate the Englishman’s arrival.

As such, Real Madrid can sign Alexander-Arnold at the start of the season, but they would have to negotiate with Liverpool to terminate the player’s contract before June 30.

This is because FIFA, aiming to enhance the Club World Cup’s appeal by showcasing as many top talents as possible, has also allowed another registration period from June 27 to July 3.

This window will enable clubs to register players who have been released from their previous clubs by June 30.

How will this impact the right-back position?

Will Dani Carvajal’s role diminish? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

One of the biggest concerns for Real Madrid will be how Alexander-Arnold’s arrival affects the existing dynamics on the right flank.

The current options include Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, with both players having experienced mixed fortunes this season.

Injuries to Carvajal and Vazquez have forced Carlo Ancelotti to experiment with other players, such as Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio, in makeshift right-back roles.

Carvajal, now 33 years old, has been a consistent presence on the right side, but his role may need to be redefined with the arrival of Alexander-Arnold.

The Englishman’s offensive capabilities are well-documented, and his stats this season in the Premier League highlight his prowess in the attacking half.

However, his defensive shortcomings have been evident in recent months, making it crucial for Ancelotti to strike a balance between offence and defence.

It remains unclear whether Alexander-Arnold will replace Carvajal entirely or if the manager will opt for a rotational approach similar to the one he has employed with Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy on the left flank.

What will happen to Lucas Vazquez?

End of Lucas Vazquez’s journey? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Another question that arises is the future of Vazquez. Although he has provided versatility and experience to Real Madrid’s defence, Vazquez has not cemented his place in the starting XI.

The arrival of Alexander-Arnold, along with Valverde’s increasing prominence as a right-back option, leaves Vazquez’s future at the club in doubt.

His contract is set to expire at the end of this season, and it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will offer him an extension or allow him to leave.

Judging by the market speculation, it has come to light that the Los Blancos might decide to carry on without Vazquez, who has multiple offers from MLS and Saudi Arabia on the table.