When Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2025, it looked like the end of a chapter. Barely 18 months later, Spanish radio is suggesting it could be reopened. Cadena SER has reported that Liverpool are exploring the idea of bringing their former vice-captain back to Anfield on loan in January.
It is important to be clear from the start: this is a rumour. No club has commented, no offer has been confirmed, and the reports describe early soundings rather than talks. But the story has been picked up by ESPN’s daily transfer round-up and by Goal, and it lands at a moment when the right-back’s time in Madrid is clearly not going to plan.
What is being reported
According to Goal’s account of the reporting, journalist Pacojo Delgado told SER Deportivos that Liverpool had begun testing the waters, both with Alexander-Arnold’s representatives and with their own supporters, over a possible official approach to Real Madrid. The idea, as described, would be an initial loan, potentially in the winter window.
ESPN’s round-up summarises the Cadena SER claim as Liverpool having contacted the player’s camp about a January move, with a loan being considered as the first step. Goal adds that early soundings reportedly found fewer than a third of Liverpool fans opposed to his return, a claim that is impossible to verify and should be treated with caution.
Cold water from England
Not everyone is buying it. TEAMtalk, in a piece headlined as if a January return had been agreed, actually cited several well-connected voices pouring cold water on the idea. According to that article, Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague told talkSPORT a January move was not on and that the player does not want to leave Madrid so soon, journalist Pete O’Rourke said Liverpool were not interested, and Football Insider reported he had no imminent plans to explore a return. TEAMtalk’s agreement claim rested on a single unnamed source, so we have not treated it as reliable.
That leaves a clear split: Spanish radio talking up a reunion, and English-based reporters playing it down.
Delgado also predicted, in what Goal describes as his own view rather than reported fact, that Madrid boss Jose Mourinho would want Tottenham’s Pedro Porro if the Englishman left. ESPN separately notes that Porro has been mentioned as a possible replacement.
Why it is happening
The backdrop is Alexander-Arnold’s struggle for a place in the Madrid side. Madrid Universal, via Yahoo Sports, reports he has played just 345 minutes across seven games this season, with four starts. Federico Valverde has been used at right-back recently and is reportedly Mourinho’s preferred option, with Denzel Dumfries also in the mix.
Cadena SER’s sources inside the club, as relayed by Goal, say he has never fully settled in Spain and has not reached the level he showed at Liverpool. Goal also notes he missed out on England’s squad for the last World Cup.
Even the reports themselves list reasons this may never happen. Alexander-Arnold’s wages are put at about €16.7 million a year gross, a significant sum for any loan deal, although Goal says Liverpool would have the capacity to manage it. Real Madrid are also said to be wary of upsetting Jude Bellingham, who is close to the defender.
Then there is the emotional side. His departure on a free transfer split opinion among Liverpool supporters, and any return would test how much of that has healed.
What happens next
The January window opens on 1 January, so there is plenty of time for this story to either firm up or fade away. Watch for whether more established outlets in England, or Madrid-based journalists close to the club, back up the Cadena SER claim in the coming weeks. Until then, Liverpool fans should treat this as a tantalising rumour rather than a done deal.
For Alexander-Arnold, the more immediate challenge is winning back Mourinho’s trust. A run of starts in La Liga would make the whole question go away.
Sources
- Goal: Liverpool knock on the door of Arnold’s return (citing Cadena SER) (29 October 2026)
- ESPN: Transfer rumours and news round-up (30 October 2026)
- TEAMtalk: Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold in agreement on January return (body cites Balague, O’Rourke and Football Insider denials) (27 October 2026)
- Madrid Universal via Yahoo Sports: Liverpool explore shock Trent Alexander-Arnold return (29 October 2026)
Featured image: Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold & Jurgen Klopp exit Liverpool team bus by Bex Walton, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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