'How do you say no?' - Gary Lineker offers advice to Trent Alexander-Arnold about potential Real Madrid transfer amid Liverpool exit talk

Speaking on The Rest is Footballpodcast, Lineker drew on his own experience of moving abroad to suggest that joining Real Madrid in the summer would be a good next step for Alexander-Arnold to take. The former Barcelona striker declared that the Liverpool right-back will "love it there", and also noted the presence of close friend Jude Bellingham to make the transition smoother.

With an expiring Liverpool contract and no renewal on the immediate horizon, Alexander-Arnold remains on course to become a free agent at the end of the season. As soon as Thursday, he is eligible to formally sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club and reports in Spain have claimed in recent days that he has already made up his mind to join Real Madrid. However, Liverpool fans on social media were adamant that Sunday's goal celebration against West Ham United was an indication he will be staying put.

"How do you say no to Real Madrid?" Lineker queried. "Liverpool is an incredible football club, but a fresh challenge, playing abroad, I did it myself. Playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is truly special. However strong and powerful and rich the Premier League is, the world’s greats still go to Barcelona and Real Madrid. The only exception in recent times is [Erling] Haaland. That aside, they go there. [Alexander-Arnold] will love it there. It will be amazing. They’ll worship and appreciate his passing range. He is in the prime of his career.

"I wouldn't begrudge him. It seems to make a lot of sense to me. Free transfer is how Real Madrid have done things recently. He is really close to Jude Bellingham and would fit in there beautifully. He would be a massive success. They wouldn't focus on his defending critically as we do here... overly, in my opinion. It's a great fit and would be a huge loss for Liverpool, but they have [Conor Bradley] coming through who has done really well. I think it is highly likely that will happen, although I have no inside information whatsoever."

After scoring 40 goals in his sole season with Everton, followed immediately by winning the World Cup Golden Boot, Lineker joined Barcelona in the summer of 1986 and stayed until 1989. He netted 52 times in 138 appearances and won the Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Alexander-Arnold has a huge decision ahead of him. The opportunity to become a Liverpool legend at what feels like the start of a potential era of dominance has to be enticing, especially as a home-grown local player. But, at 26, there may never be a better opportunity to challenge himself abroad at the peak of his career. If he doesn't say yes to Real Madrid now, the chance may not come around again.