Trent Alexander-Arnold has delivered a clear message to Arsenal and Liverpool: he will not be leaving Real Madrid during the January transfer window, despite significant interest from both Premier League heavyweights. The 27-year-old English international, who joined the Spanish club in summer 2025, has rejected the possibility of a mid-season return to England, according to reports from TEAMtalk. His decision marks a setback for the two top-flight rivals, who had been monitoring his availability as potential solutions to their respective right-back concerns.
Since his arrival at the Bernabéu, Alexander-Arnold has struggled to cement a starting role under manager Jose Mourinho. The former Liverpool academy graduate has featured in only five games so far this season, with just two league starts across Real Madrid's seven top-flight outings. The situation deteriorated further following the arrival of Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan, who has complicated Alexander-Arnold's path to regular minutes. Despite these limited opportunities, intermediaries have begun exploring potential destinations for the right-back, yet Alexander-Arnold remains committed to fighting for his place at the Spanish club rather than seeking an immediate escape route.
The two Premier League suitors have distinctly different motivations for pursuing the 27-year-old. Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold's former club, have been unable to successfully replace him since his departure and view a reunion as a potential remedy to their ongoing right-back issues. Meanwhile, Arsenal are seeking additional quality in the position amid ongoing concerns about Ben White's injury struggles and long-term availability. However, neither club will get their wish this winter, as Alexander-Arnold intends to focus entirely on improving his situation in Madrid through the remainder of the campaign.
While speculation will likely persist regarding his future, Alexander-Arnold has made his priorities crystal clear: he will reassess his options only after the season concludes. For now, the right-back remains determined to prove his worth under Mourinho and reclaim a prominent role at Real Madrid, leaving Arsenal and Liverpool to explore alternative solutions to their defensive needs elsewhere.