'I was ready to go' - Wayne Rooney reveals how he turned down Barcelona, Real Madrid & Chelsea as Man Utd legend offers Trent Alexander-Arnold advice on Liverpool future

Alexander-Arnold's future has been the subject of intense debate, with reports last week claiming he has now virtually agreed a deal with the Spanish giants Real Madrid after refusing to commit his future to his boyhood club. Amid speculation over the defender's future at Anfield, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has weighed in on the situation as he revealed that he was also tempted to move out of Old Trafford amid interest from top European clubs.

In his column for BBC Sport, Rooney wrote: "When I told Manchester United in 2010 that I did not want to sign a new deal and put in a transfer request, three clubs came in for me. Manchester City are often talked about as being one of them, but I don't think that was ever an option for me - the teams who made an approach were Chelsea, Real and Barcelona.

"In my head, I was ready to go and play in Spain and some talks did take place. A deal with Real looked more likely for a couple of days but it was Barcelona whom I thought about the most, and how I might fit into their side alongside Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets. In the end I decided to stay at United, but Barca had an incredible team then and any player would have loved to have played in it. Real are the same now with superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, so of course it must be appealing to Alexander-Arnold to think about playing alongside them - anyone would feel the same."

He added: "He has been at Liverpool for almost 20 years - since he was six - but the reality is that most players move at some point - that's why there are so few one-club men like Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher. I would not blame Alexander-Arnold for wanting to do something a little bit different - like a fresh challenge in a new country - Spain would be a really good move for him."

The Red Devils icon also claimed that the English full-back could still make an U-turn on his stance and eventualy stay back at Anfield, as he wrote: "I get why Liverpool fans are upset and even angry at the thought of Alexander-Arnold leaving - all supporters like to see local lads coming through at their club, and they never like to see them being sold. I feel like it is the fact he would be going on a free which has upset them the most, but that situation is down to Liverpool as well as Alexander-Arnold.

"We don't know why his contract has been allowed to run down - or whether that is down to him or the club - but it is something Liverpool have done with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk this season too, and also in the past with Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino. No one seems to have said much about the other players letting their deals run down, just Alexander-Arnold. I think that's because he's a local lad, which feels a bit unfair. Alexander-Arnold has been an excellent servant to the club, so you can't begrudge him wanting to try something new. It would not just be a shame for Liverpool fans if he left because you want to see the best players in the Premier League but, if he does go to Real, I wish him well."

Rooney added: "Still, as I found out myself, just because there are talks over a transfer does not mean it will happen. It is well known that some United fans protested outside my house when they thought I was going to leave in 2010, but I'd agreed my new contract by then. Alexander-Arnold has not signed anything with Real yet and it would not surprise me if, even after all this speculation, he ends up staying at Anfield after all. A lot can happen before a contract is signed - as I know from experience."

For now, the England international will remain focused on winning the Premier League title with Arne Slot's side, who will next face arch-rivals Everton on Wednesday at Anfield.