Surprise: Liverpool open the door to Trent Alexander-Arnold's return from Real Madrid

Will Dumfries force the English full-back out of the Bernabéu?

A heavyweight surprise has exploded in the transfer market, and Trent Alexander-Arnold sits at its centre. The England star could return to Anfield just months after his move to the Spanish capital.

Renowned journalist Ben Jacobs broke the news, confirming that Liverpool's management have opened advanced negotiations with Real Madrid to bring back the English full-back for just 15 million euros.

Jacobs said: "Liverpool are in advanced negotiations with Real Madrid over their former player Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool will pay 15 million euros for the right-back who has not had many playing opportunities since joining the club."

Playing minutes: the secret word

Those negotiations have reached their final stages, according to Jacobs, driven by the player's clear desire for more game time after finding himself on the Real Madrid bench amid fierce competition for the right-back slot.

The setback followed the Spanish club's signing of Dutchman Denzel Dumfries to reinforce that same position, making a starting place even harder for the Englishman to nail down.

Alexander-Arnold spent years in Liverpool's academy before becoming one of its brightest stars, the source added, and he remains keen to return to the Anfield stadium that witnessed the making of his glory.

An unexpected return

Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool in the summer of 2025 in a deal that stirred plenty of controversy among the Reds' fans, joining Real Madrid for a new venture with much riding on it.

The latest developments have thrown the door wide open to a scenario nobody saw coming. Complete the deal, and his return would rank among the summer market's biggest shocks, the prodigal son back home just months after the farewell.