Liverpool have agreed to release Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup for a fee of £10 million. The deal confirms Jamie Carragher’s earlier prediction, which was met with laughter from fellow pundits Gary Neville and Micah Richards. Carragher had previously suggested that a £5–10 million fee would be reasonable if Trent were to leave early for Madrid. His comments came during a lighthearted debate, where Neville jokingly asked if he would accept just £1 million for the right-back’s departure.
“I’d want more than that,” Carragher responded, standing firm on his valuation. He argued that if Real Madrid stood to earn upwards of £100 million from winning the Club World Cup, investing a fraction of that in securing Trent—a player who could fill their right-back void—made financial sense. Neville and Richards initially dismissed the idea, with Richards quipping, “Good job he’s not an agent.” The panel erupted in laughter, treating Carragher’s assessment as an overestimation of Trent’s immediate market value in such a unique scenario.
Yet, Carragher’s logic proved correct. Real Madrid, lacking a natural right-back, saw Trent as a key piece for their Club World Cup ambitions. The £10 million fee Liverpool secured aligns perfectly with Carragher’s earlier estimate, validating his foresight. The deal also highlights Liverpool’s pragmatic approach. Rather than resisting the move, the club negotiated a fee that acknowledges Trent’s importance while allowing him to pursue a short-term opportunity. Sporting director Richard Hughes may well have taken Carragher’s comments into consideration during discussions.
For Neville and Richards, the outcome serves as a reminder that even offhand pundit debates can carry weight. What once seemed like a humorous exchange has now materialized into a real-world transfer agreement, with Carragher’s judgment vindicated. As Trent prepares for his stint in Madrid, the episode underscores how quickly football’s landscape can shift—and how even the boldest predictions can come true.