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Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid would rival Mbappe’s signing, Pennant says – Irvine Times

Alexander-Arnold is in the final year of his contract and Madrid are said to be monitoring the right-back, who turned 26 earlier this month.

Alexander-Arnold reached 100 goals for the club earlier this season and Pennant believes his unique skills make him a very attractive option for the Spanish giants.

“I don’t think there’s a right-back who can do what he does going forward, the goals, the assists, the creativity he’s got and the range of passing, you don’t really see that so to lose that would be a huge blow Pennant said, speaking at the Copa del Cure Leukemia tournament at St George’s Park.

“Anyone with that kind of ability can easily fit in at Real Madrid. If Real sign Trent, it will be an absolute coup. It would be as big as signing Mbappe because what he brings is something no one else can, but fingers crossed he doesn’t go.”

Alexander-Arnold is one of three players in the final year of his contract alongside Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with Liverpool yet to secure his long-term future despite talks.

The trio have been free to talk to foreign clubs on a free transfer since January 1 and Pennant says Liverpool’s grip on the situation is weakening by the day.

“When you’re in the last year of your contract, you have to start thinking about your future,” he said.

“I’m sure Trent will want to stay at the club as a professional and born and bred in Liverpool, but it’s out of your hands if the club isn’t willing to offer you what you think you deserve and you have to put yourself first place.

“If a team like Real Madrid is ready to pay you what you want, it’s very difficult to refuse. He can dictate and dictate what he wants and it’s up to the club to comply and if they can’t, there are suitors who will and ultimately Liverpool will lose an asset.”

Uncertainty off the pitch has not affected results, with Liverpool leading the Premier League after a 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday.

Pennant believes new manager Arne Slott has done exceptionally well to get the best out of a squad that is almost identical to the one he inherited from Jurgen Klopp.

“It’s similar to Jurgen, but it’s more controlled chaos than the carnage that Jurgen likes,” Pennant said.

“Arne is more measured and composed and plays through the middle, using Ryan Gravenburch a lot more. I think there’s a bit more of a process to it than spreading it out and putting it in the box like we saw under Klopp.”

Discussing Liverpool’s hopes for the remainder of the season, Pennant expects his former club to challenge for the Premier League title.

“I think they are as good as Arsenal and Man City,” he added. “I think they’re going to go on and challenge and there’s no reason why they can’t. They are there for a reason and their ambition now is to challenge those two for the top spots.”

Cure Leukemia is a UK-based blood cancer charity, founded in 2003, working to speed up the delivery of life-saving treatments to leukemia patients by funding specialist nurses across the country

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