Blame game begins at Real Madrid over disastrous Trent Alexander-Arnold deal

Things are going from bad to worse at Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The former Liverpool hero has endured a difficult season - ever since completing his £10m move to the Bernabeu last summer.

Injured shortly into his Madrid career - missing the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain - eyebrows were quickly raised in the Spanish media over the transfer.

Two more spells on the sideline have followed meaning the 27-year-old has missed a lot of matches in his debut campaign. Now finally getting rhythm with an extended run in the team the Englishman’s form has plummeted.

Over the course of the last week or so the criticism has been fierce. Against Getafe last Monday night Madrid were downed in front of their own fans with Trent hooked just before the hour mark.

Alexander-Arnold described as a 'disaster'

Although Los Blancos beat Celta Vigo on Friday Alexander-Arnold was again singled out for criticism in the Madrid media. He was called “a disaster” among other insults for the part he played in Celta’s equaliser.

Now a more in-depth report in Sport this week suggests that Madrid decision-makers are attempting to distance themselves from Trent’s signing.

It’s claimed this was a transfer ordered by club president Florentino Perez with little or no due consideration for the team’s needs - an astonishing revelation.

“His signing was a direct decision by the board without consulting the manager,” the report reads.

“Now, Real Madrid has a serious problem in that position: with Carvajal severely hampered by injuries, a tepid Trent in defense, and Valverde unwilling to play at full-back.”

Madrid distance themselves from Trent deal

Alexander-Arnold hasn’t been at his best for around a year now - carrying the effects of an injury-hit final season at Liverpool into his Madrid tenure.

And the writing now appears on the wall for the England international - who looks certain to miss the World Cup owing to his lack of form.

“The signing of the full-back was very difficult to understand,” the report continues.

“The player profile is exactly what Florentino likes. A player whose contract is expiring, who comes from a big Premier League team and has a big international reputation, but clearly he wasn't what the team needed.

“It wasn't a managerial signing like Huijsen or Carreras were; it was a presidential one.”

Where next for Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Madrid are reported to be exploring alternative right-back signings to replace the £280k per week Alexander-Arnold as well as Dani Carvajal - who is going to be out of contract at the end of the season.

We could see Wesley Franca or Achraf Hakimi arrive at the Bernabeu - and the next question will be which team will take a risk on an injury-prone, out-of-form Alexander-Arnold who will command a sizeable transfer fee as well as a significant wage packet.

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