Real Madrid weigh right-back reinforcements as Alexander-Arnold debut season disappoints

Real Madrid are considering new signings at right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut season at the Bernabéu failed to meet expectations, according to Spanish outlet Marca. The former Liverpool man has made 30 appearances and contributed five assists across all competitions but has been hampered by injuries and persistent defensive concerns throughout the campaign.

Alexander-Arnold joined Madrid last summer after the club paid a £10 million premium to secure him before his Liverpool contract expired. The move was framed as a marquee Galáctico signing, but Marca wrote that “their signing for the right-back position hasn’t quite lived up to expectations,” pointing to his continued defensive vulnerabilities as a key issue.

The 26-year-old’s difficulties were underscored this week when Thomas Tuchel omitted him from England’s World Cup squad. Marca cited the exclusion as evidence of the flaws in Madrid’s full-back department, with the club now looking at potential arrivals to address the position.

The situation is compounded by the imminent departure of Dani Carvajal, who is set to leave the Bernabéu after a career that included six Champions League titles. Carvajal had been competing with Alexander-Arnold for the starting berth, and his exit leaves a significant void the club is now actively seeking to fill.

It has been a bruising international window for Madrid’s full-back options across the board. Left-backs Fran García and Álvaro Carreras were both absent from Spain’s World Cup squad, while Ferland Mendy missed out on France’s selection after another injury-disrupted season.

The embarrassment extended further for the Spanish champions, with no Real Madrid player named in Spain’s squad at all. Centre-back Dean Huijsen was also overlooked by coach Luis de la Fuente, who defended his selections on merit rather than club affiliation. “I don’t look at one club or another. I don’t have that local bias a fan might have. For me, it’s more global,” de la Fuente said. “The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel proud of representing the national team.”

Spain enter the tournament as defending European champions and will be aiming to add the World Cup to their recent collection of international silverware — though they will do so without a single player from one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.