Trent Alexander-Arnold’s warned Ballon d’Or dream is 'almost impossible' by ex-Real Madrid star despite imminent Bernabeu transfer from Liverpool

The England international defender has confirmed that he will be severing ties with boyhood club Liverpool when his contract expires this summer. While he is heading towards free agency, it has been suggested that Real are ready to pay a small fee for Alexander-Arnold in order to acquire his services ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

The 26-year-old is ready for a new challenge after winning Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup honours at Anfield. He is aware of Real’s rich history when it comes to securing Ballons d'Or for the brightest of stars at Santiago Bernabeu.

Alexander-Arnold is being praised for setting the loftiest of targets, but has been told that he may be left disappointed. Ex-Liverpool and Real striker Fernando Morientes has told CasinoHawks: “Using what I know historically about the Ballon d’Or, I see that as very complicated. If Trent Alexander Arnold has an exceptional season in every sense, it means he's attacking a lot, that he'll score a lot of goals.

“But if he scores a lot of goals, then Kylian Mbappe will score a lot of goals, Jude Bellingham will score a lot of goals, Vinicius will score a lot of goals.

“It seems to me that this Ballon d'Or is designed for midfielders and attackers. Very rarely do we see defenders or goalkeepers. In fact, Fabio Cannavaro comes to mind in our time and little else, and everything else is scoring midfielders and forwards or exceptional players.

“Can Alexander Arnold win the Ballon d'Or at Real Madrid? Yes. Is it very difficult? It is very difficult. I see it as almost impossible, but it's good that he comes with those expectations. This means he has very high ambitions.”

It has been suggested that Alexander-Arnold will sign a five-year contract in the Spanish capital, taking him through to 2030. He will be linking up with a Los Blancos squad that is preparing to welcome a new manager on board - potentially ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - and one that has seen La Liga and Champions League titles slip through their grasp.