Real Madrid have reportedly made the significant decision not to sell Trent Alexander-Arnold, allowing the defender to begin the second year of the six-year contract he signed last summer.
Alexander-Arnold’s future became the subject of speculation after José Mourinho selected Denzel Dumfries for his first two La Liga matches since returning as Madrid manager.
The former Liverpool defender played the final ten minutes of the 2-1 victory over Espanyol before remaining on the bench throughout Madrid’s 4-1 win against Real Sociedad.
Those two team selections were enough to generate uncertainty over whether Alexander-Arnold might leave the club before the transfer window closed.
Newcastle were subsequently mentioned as a possible destination after European football expert Andy Brassell suggested that the 27-year-old would be an excellent loan signing for Eddie Howe’s side.
Newcastle had not made an offer.
TEAMtalk has since reported that Madrid have no desire to sell Alexander-Arnold and regard his difficult first season as a period of adaptation rather than the conclusion of an unsuccessful project.
The right-back made 36 appearances in all competitions during his debut campaign, contributing seven assists while also experiencing two separate muscle injuries. It was not the immediate transformation expected when he left Liverpool, although it did provide more evidence than two matches under a new manager.
Dumfries was signed from Inter Milan during the summer and currently represents strong competition at right-back. Mourinho is reportedly still confident that Alexander-Arnold can recover his best form and contribute in Madrid.
Football squads are permitted to contain more than one player in the same position, meaning Dumfries starting a match does not automatically require Alexander-Arnold to relocate to Newcastle.
Real Madrid have therefore decided to retain a player they signed last year, who remains committed to the club and is contracted until 2031.
Alexander-Arnold has survived a transfer crisis which began when he did not start two matches and ended when Madrid confirmed they had no intention of selling him.
He remains a Real Madrid player, which was also the position before the huge decision was made.
