According to reports, Real Madrid has asked Liverpool to release Trent Alexander-Arnold for free before his contract expires so he can participate in the Club World Cup.

The Telegraph reports that the Spanish club has not yet made any financial offer to Liverpool and is simply hoping the English club will agree to the right-back’s early departure without compensation. His contract expires on June 30.

The English newspaper confirmed that Real Madrid’s request was made last week after Alexander-Arnold’s official departure from Liverpool was announced. Initially, it was thought that this correspondence was a prelude to negotiations for a symbolic fee, but in reality, Real only wants the player to join them earlier.

The 26-year-old Alexander-Arnold will sign a five-year contract with Real Madrid and join as a free agent. However, Real hopes to have him available for the new 32-team Club World Cup in the United States, starting June 14.

Spanish sources say there is a possibility that Trent may waive his salary for the final month to facilitate the transfer, but the reality is that without Liverpool’s consent, such a move will not be possible, as the English club remains his official owner until the contract ends, and he cannot unilaterally terminate it.

If Liverpool rejects this request, Alexander-Arnold will miss Real Madrid’s three group-stage matches in the Club World Cup: against Al-Hilal (June 18), Pachuca (June 22), and Red Bull Salzburg (June 27).

The knockout stage begins on June 28, with matches from the round of 16 to the final scheduled until July 1. This is the earliest possible date for Alexander-Arnold to officially play for Real Madrid, provided Liverpool allows his early travel to the U.S. Otherwise, his first real opportunity will be the quarter-finals on July 4-5. Real must also register the player in FIFA’s special transfer window for the Club World Cup, which opens between June 27 and July 3.