Arsene Wenger claims Real Madrid approached Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘a long, long time ago’ as Arsenal legend rubbishes Liverpool star’s timeline

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exit has proved nothing if not divisive, with the full back widely expected to join Real Madrid, but now Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger has had his say.

Alexander-Arnold made official the news that had been reported throughout the season on Monday, revealing that he will be leaving his boyhood club for a new challenge this summer. 

During his time at the club the right back won the Premier League twice, the Champions League, FA and Carabao Cups, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. 

Mail Sport understands that Alexander-Arnold is set to pen terms on a five-year deal with the Spanish giants, where he will join England team-mate and friend Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid had in fact approached Liverpool just hours after Alexander-Arnold posted his emotional farewell video about taking him to the Bernabeu before the Club World Cup.

Now, though, Wenger has claimed that the Spanish giants’ pursuit of the defender may have taken place a little earlier than many fans might have thought.

Arsene Wenger has claimed that Real Madrid will have approached him ‘a long, long time ago’

Real Madrid have long been reported to be interested in bringing Alexander-Arnold to the club

‘I believe it shows a new trend in the game that there is no transfer [fee], for the big big players; they go all at the end of their contract because the wages are so high. 

‘If you want to buy Marcel [Desailly] now, you have to pay him so much money that you can’t afford the transfer fee anymore so what do they do? 

‘They say two years before the end of a contract: “We want to buy you, we’ll give you these wages, and we will try to make an offer. If it doesn’t work, we will come back next year and if it doesn’t work we’ll take you for free”, it’s what they did with [Kylian] Mbappe.

‘Real Madrid approached Alexander-Arnold a long, long time ago.’ 

When asked whether there was an issue with the timing of Alexander-Arnold’s move, however, Wenger ruled this out, insisting it came after the end of Liverpool’s season.

‘Not really because the season is over for him and overall I believe the timing is right because Liverpool are the champions they don’t go for any other trophy so they don’t go for anything,’ he added.

‘It gives Liverpool time to get another defender. He will be difficult to replace because he was a creative full back.’

The 26-year old confirmed on Monday that he would sign for the Spanish giants when his deal runs out at the end of June.

While at his boyhood club Alexander-Arnold has won every available trophy at club level

Should he move to Real Madrid he would join the likes of (left to right) Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, England team-mate Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes

It brought an end to a saga that had stretched on for much of the season with Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all set to be out of contract by this summer. 

However, Salah and van Dijk would both go on to pen terms, but Alexander-Arnold will now embark on a new chapter. 

He has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, who made an approach in January to bring him to the Bernabeu already, but the Spanish giants are keen make another move. 

Madrid would like the England international in their squad ahead of the Club World Cup where their opening fixture is against Al Hilal in Miami on June 18.

No figures have yet been mentioned or even floated in discussions between clubs though it is understood Madrid are looking to offer around £850,000.

The initial contacts have simply been Madrid signalling an intent to ask.

His current Liverpool deal will end on June 30, with the competition in the United States getting underway earlier in the month.