Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid struggles fuel Liverpool return speculation amid Porro links

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s difficult start to life at Real Madrid has reignited speculation over a potential return to Liverpool, with Spanish radio station Cadena SER reporting that the club could pursue Tottenham Hotspur full-back Pedro Porro — a move that would leave Alexander-Arnold’s future at the Bernabéu in serious doubt.

The 28-year-old England international joined Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer after making more than 350 appearances for Liverpool, where he won two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019. Despite his pedigree, he has struggled to cement a starting role in Madrid, and the club signed Denzel Dumfries over the summer to compete with him for the right-back position.

Journalist Pacojo Delgado, citing Cadena SER, suggested that Porro — a World Cup winner currently at Spurs — has attracted interest from Barcelona but would prefer a move to Madrid. Delgado stated: “If Real Madrid comes calling, knowing that Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t convincing at full-back, there might be an option.” Porro had previously been on Real Madrid’s shortlist before the club opted for Dumfries.

TEAMtalk has reported that Liverpool would be open to re-signing their former No.66, with right-back remaining a positional concern at Anfield since his departure. Arsenal and Manchester City have also been linked with Alexander-Arnold, with Arsenal’s interest considered more credible given that Ben White came close to leaving the club last summer.

Alexander-Arnold’s exit from Liverpool was not without controversy. His decision to leave on a free transfer drew frustration from sections of the fanbase, who felt the club deserved a transfer fee for one of their academy graduates. He was booed during his final weeks at Anfield and again when he returned with Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League.

Despite the speculation, FourFourTwo understands that Real Madrid have no current plans to sell Alexander-Arnold in the January transfer window. Transfermarkt values the full-back at €60 million. Whether a summer move materialises will likely depend on how his situation at the Bernabéu develops over the coming months — and whether Liverpool are willing to revisit a relationship that ended on complicated terms.