"Secretive talks will have taken place" - Michael Owen makes 'huge' claim after Liverpool turn down Real Madrid offer for Alexander-Arnold

Michael Owen has made a bold claim regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future following Liverpool’s decision to reject an offer from Real Madrid. Speaking on the matter, Owen hinted at the possibility of behind-the-scenes negotiations that could convince Arnold to join the Spanish giants.

Early yesterday, it was reported by Cadena SER that Real Madrid were planning to offer Arnold two contract offers. The report further added that Los Blancos, through president Florentino Perez, will likely submit an offer in January in a bid to facilitate the defender's potential swoop. Later in the day, it was reported that Liverpool rejected Los Blancos' proposal to sign Arnold in the January transfer window.

While Real Madrid had their bid turned down, the La Liga side will be hoping to acquire Arnold's services in the summer when he becomes a free agent. Meanwhile, former Liverpool and Real Madrid man Owen thinks Arnold is willing to join Los Blancos and predicted it is a "matter of time" before the defender signs for them. Owen wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account:

"The very fact that Real Madrid have now made their intentions clear towards signing Trent Alexander Arnold leads me to believe that it’s only a matter of time before he signs for them. If he was going to sign a contract extension, Madrid wouldn’t have officially made their move. Secretive talks will have taken place. Huge news."

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of Liverpool’s most important players over the past few years. He has helped the Reds win several titles, including the Premier League and Champions League. In 333 appearances, he has scored 20 goals and provided 85 assists for the Merseyside club.

''His team would've told Real Madrid to bid'' - Jamie Carragher makes bold claim about Liverpool star

Apart form Michael Owen, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also weighed in on Alexander-Arnold's possible move to Real Madrid. Unlike Owen, Carragher expressed disinterest in Arnold's transfer saga and called for focus to the title race.

Speaking further, Carragher claimed that Arnold's representatives would have told Real Madrid to make try to sign him in January to "cover themselves" for when he leaves on a free transfer.

He wrote on X:

''The most important thing for in 2025 is winning the PremierLeague. No one’s contract or future should come in the way of that! I love Trent as a lad & a player, but his team would’ve told Real Madrid to bid & also would’ve known LFC would turn it down. It’s to try & cover themselves when he leaves for free. Again it’s something the club/fans don’t need with a huge game coming up.''

In the ongoing season, Arnold has scored one goal and provided five assists for the Merseysiders in 23 appearances across competitions.