The Reach-operated site’s claim of a done deal has not been matched by any of the reporters or outlets that stood up his original Bernabeu switch, and none of the parties involved, Liverpool, Real Madrid or the player himself, have addressed it publicly.

The wider English-language coverage this week is built on something less dramatic: a talkSPORT presenter urging Liverpool to consider a reunion. That opinion, reported through Goal on 2 August, is where the “sensational return” idea actually originates.

What the talkSPORT pundit said

Speaking on Transfer Insiders, Angelina Kelly framed a Liverpool move as a pragmatic option rather than a live negotiation.

“When Real Madrid come calling, it is hard to say no, we have to be honest with that, and he’s made the move and it hasn’t really worked out.”

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“I think maybe they should cut their losses and just explore the Trent situation.”

Kelly pointed to Real Madrid’s signing of Denzel Dumfries as evidence Alexander-Arnold’s role is shrinking further under new head coach Jose Mourinho, who was appointed in June.

A rough season in Spain

Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 in a €10m early-release deal after allowing his Liverpool contract to run down.

The debut campaign that followed produced 14 LaLiga starts and no goals in any competition, a first for him since his breakthrough season, with recurring muscle injuries interrupting long stretches of the year.

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His wage packet, reported at around £500,000 a week by Live4Liverpool, would be a structural obstacle to any Premier League move without a substantial reduction.

Manchester United’s reported €50m interest

Earlier in the year, Spanish outlet Fichajes reported that Manchester United were preparing an offer close to €50m for the right-back, a story that came with its own health warning about the outlet’s track record.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are said to have no intention of pushing the 27-year-old out.

The Anfield right-back gap is real

Liverpool have a genuine problem in the position. New head coach Andoni Iraola, appointed to replace Arne Slot after a fifth-place finish, is working with a right-back shortage: Conor Bradley remains sidelined with a knee injury, and Jeremie Frimpong is seen as better suited to a more advanced role.

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That is the argument for a return. The evidence a deal is being negotiated, let alone agreed, is not there.

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