Jude Bellingham ‘key to Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exit’
Jude Bellingham is set to play an important role in Real Madrid’s efforts to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold upon the expiry of his contract.
This is according to former Man United, Tottenham and Aston Villa scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the pair’s close relationship is likely to impact his contract decision and where he will be playing next season.
The 26-year-old’s contract is set to expire come the end of the 2024-25 campaign, meaning he will be free to discuss a move abroad from January onwards.
Los Blancos have been heavily linked with attempting to convince the right-back to make the move to Madrid as their latest Galactico signing.
Liverpool, meanwhile, remain desperate to keep him at the club and are expected to offer him a new contract in a bid to stop him leaving for free.
Bellingham has been tipped to play a key role in the decision, both through pushing the Spanish giants to sign him, but also by convincing his friend to join him.
This comes after Football Insider previously revealed that Carlo Ancelotti was the driving force behind Madrid’s move to sign Alexander-Arnold.
Jude Bellingham key to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exit
Now, Brown, who has worked closely with top players in the past including for over a decade during Man United’s most successful period, has insisted the England superstar will play a key role in Madrid’s bid, but the final decision would be left to the Liverpool man.
“Having a close friend there will definitely help,” he told Football Insider.
“To be fair to Jude Bellingham, at a very young age, he’s gone to Real Madrid on the biggest stage and has handled it brilliantly.
“He’s very highly regarded there, and I imagine they’d value his opinion.
“Given that he’s mates with Alexander-Arnold, that’s got to have a big impact on the move.
“Ultimately the decision will come down to the player because Real Madrid want him and Liverpool want to keep him.
“I’m sure the allure of going and playing with his mate at a club like that would always be tempting.
“It all depends on whether he feels that would be an improvement from playing at Liverpool where of course he’s so loved by the club and the fans.”
In other news, Liverpool are “desperate” to keep Alexander-Arnold at the club.
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