Trent Alexander-Arnold tipped to challenge for Ballon d'Or at Real Madrid as ex-Liverpool striker expects his 'mate' Jude Bellingham to be decisive in swaying transfer decision

There is plenty of speculation to suggest that such a move could be on the cards, with one England international running down his current contract. As things stand, Alexander-Arnold is set to become a free agent in 2025 – meaning that he can talk to teams outside of the Premier League from January.

Alexander-Arnold is a Merseyside native and product of Liverpool’s fabled academy system, with close to 330 appearances taken in for his boyhood club. He will forever boast strong emotional ties to the Reds, but professional ones may be severed when approaching an important crossroads in his career.

Quizzed on whether a fresh start in Spain is looking more likely, with Three Lions colleague Bellingham already at Santiago Bernabeu, ex-Liverpool striker Emile Heskey – speaking in association with William Hill – told GOAL: “Possibly, yeah. We have seen it before – we obviously saw it with [Steve] McManaman, running down his contract and then going there.

“The big thing when you have the two coming out of Spain [Real Madrid and Barcelona], when they are attached to players, players’ minds will always wander and drift – regardless of which club you are at, in any other league. He’s got his mate there as well. He will probably be looking at that as something he could definitely see himself doing.”

Alexander-Arnold has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with Liverpool – with another domestic crown in his sights this season. Pressed further on whether a new challenge holds greater appeal after achieving just about everything at Anfield, Heskey added: “One hundred per cent. When you’re a player, my situation was different but similar – you get to a point, I was at Leicester and we’d got to three cup finals in four years and you say to yourself ‘what’s next, where’s the next step?’ For me it was going to Liverpool and trying to challenge for the title.

“He’s at the other end of it saying: ‘I’ve done this, I’ve done that, I’m 26 years old and what’s next? Do I stick it out here, on course to win another league title, but what’s next?’ That’s what he is probably looking at. He could be a megastar in Spain and win more. I’d be surprised if he’s not thinking about Ballon d’Or as well.”

Real Madrid boast a rich history when it comes to helping star turns on their books collect Golden Balls – with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stefano, Luis Figo, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema on their roll of honour. Alexander-Arnold, with his ability to drift into midfield from a right-back berth, may believe that he can compete for the title of best player on the planet if he were to link up with the Blancos.