Manchester City Monitoring Trent Alexander Arnold As Real Madrid Future Comes Into Doubt
Real Madrid’s right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold finds himself at the centre of one of the most talked-about transfer discussions in world football this winter. The England international, who moved to the Spanish giants from Liverpool last summer, has seen his first season in Spain fall short of expectations.
That has opened the door to serious Premier League interest, with Manchester City reportedly keeping tabs on his situation as uncertainty rises over his future at the Bernabéu. This story has taken on fresh momentum as sources suggest City are actively evaluating whether Alexander-Arnold can be a key part of their squad planning in the summer of 2026.
Why Alexander-Arnold’s Time At Real Madrid Has Been Fragile
When Trent Alexander-Arnold sealed his free transfer move from Liverpool to Real Madrid in the summer of 2025. The expectation was that he’d slot straight into one of the most illustrious teams in world football.
He had been a talismanic figure at Anfield, producing 23 goals and 92 assists in 354 appearances and helping Liverpool to major trophies. Yet life in La Liga has been far more challenging. Across all competitions, he has struggled with injuries and consistent game time, managing fewer than 500 minutes on the pitch this season.
Reports indicate just 16 appearances for Madrid, with hamstring and thigh issues interrupting his progress and leaving him short of the rhythm he enjoyed in England. Injuries are only part of the story. Alexander-Arnold has also found it tough to adapt to the tactical demands of Real Madrid and has not consistently nailed down a starting spot.
That level of inconsistency at one of the biggest clubs on the planet naturally sparks speculation about his long-term place in the side. This backdrop is why his situation has caught the eye of scouts and decision-makers at other top clubs, especially those preparing to strengthen in the summer transfer window.
Why Manchester City See Value In Tracking His Situation
Manchester City’s interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold is not random. Their scouting and sporting structure has identified right-back as a key position that might require reinvestment in 2026. Despite having excellent defenders like Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes fulfilling duties on the right side. Pep Guardiola’s side lack a specialist right-back who can dictate play from deep and function as a creative outlet.
Something Trent has proven capable of throughout his career. From a tactical perspective, Alexander-Arnold is the kind of modern full-back City have successfully integrated before a player comfortable on the ball. He’s capable of unlocking defences with incisive passing, and able to drift into midfield to create numerical advantages.
In the Guardiola system, precision and strategic distribution are at a premium, and Alexander-Arnold’s skill set can fit that mold. City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, is understood to be steering recruitment planning with a blend of immediate requirements and future succession in mind.
City’s current full-backs have served well, but long-term planning often dictates that elite teams look ahead, and Trent’s availability. Even if only a possibility, is something they cannot ignore.
It is also worth noting that any pursuit would come with a hefty price tag. Alexander-Arnold is under contract at Real Madrid until 2029, meaning Madrid hold strong leverage in any negotiations. Price and wage demands would likely be significant, even for a club of City’s financial strength.
What Real Madrid’s Stance Says About The Situation
Despite the growing speculation linking Alexander-Arnold with Manchester City, Real Madrid’s official public stance remains firm. According to sources close to the club, manager Alvaro Arbeloa retains confidence in the right-back, with no confirmed plans to sell him this summer.
Madrid insiders have been quoted saying that reports of him being forced out or told he is not part of future plans are exaggerated or inaccurate. Behind the scenes, there are differing opinions in Spain about how well Trent has adapted.
Some narratives in the Spanish press have leaned both ways, with suggestions that the defender’s time at Madrid might not be going to plan. While other reports maintain that patience is required and that fitness issues have been the primary hurdle rather than merit alone.
What is clear is that Madrid have not publicly sanctioned a move away. That puts City and any other suitors in a waiting game scenario; they can monitor developments, but any push to sign him hinges on both club terms and Trent’s intentions.
Interestingly, a recent Manchester Evening News report has even claimed that City are not planning to offer Alexander-Arnold a route back to the Premier League. Hinting that interest might be more exploratory than immediately actionable. Regardless, multiple outlets have linked City with genuine monitoring activities.
What This Means For Alexander-Arnold’s Future
For Trent Alexander-Arnold, the situation is delicate. On one hand he wants to be playing regular football at the highest level and prove his worth after a challenging beginning in Spain. On the other, he remains contracted to one of the world’s biggest clubs, who have publicly backed him.
A move to Manchester City would offer a return to the Premier League, where his talents were forged and where he remains a household name. Also, a chance to play under one of the most influential managers of his generation, Pep Guardiola.
It would also inject a fresh narrative into City’s ambitions, especially if they are chasing Champions League success, where tactical investment and depth are vital. Yet, City’s interest is not universally confirmed as a priority transfer.
It appears, for now at least, that they are simply evaluating and keeping tabs rather than pushing a direct chase. It is sensible given the magnitude of complications such a deal could involve.
From his perspective, the story of where Trent plays next season may still be unfolding. Whether he reasserts himself at Real Madrid and becomes a lynchpin for their project, or makes a return to the Premier League with Manchester City or another top club, remains to be seen.
