Is TAA Returning to the Premier League? Real Madrid Utilizes Former Liverpool Player as a ‘Bargaining Chip’ in Chelsea Transfer Deal

Real Madrid are reportedly aiming to leverage former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold to convince Chelsea to part with Reece James.

Alexander-Arnold left Anfield for the Bernabeu during the summer transfer window after running down his contract at Liverpool, much to the displeasure of Reds fans.

His time at Real Madrid has been inconsistent, with a hamstring injury sidelining the 27-year-old for six matches from mid-September to mid-October.

That setback has limited Alexander-Arnold’s contributions at Real Madrid, where he has registered one assist in 11 appearances across all competitions.

Just as he was beginning to put together solid performances, Alexander-Arnold sustained another injury during Real Madrid's 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

ESPN reports that he will be sidelined for at least two months due to a left quadricep injury confirmed by Real Madrid.

The club stated: ‘Following tests carried out today on our player Trent Alexander-Arnold by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his left quadriceps. His recovery will be monitored.’

Real Madrid is now considering offloading him to acquire a new right-back, with claims in Spain suggesting that Xabi Alonso wishes to use Alexander-Arnold as a ‘bargaining chip' to sign Reece James, whom he regards as the ‘most complete full-back in the world.'

The report notes that Xabi Alonso remains skeptical of Alexander-Arnold. He feels the player detracts more defensively than he contributes and doesn’t match his tactical vision, leaving him out of his medium-term plans. Alonso has reportedly expressed doubts about Alexander-Arnold's mindset and performance relative to what he expects from a Real Madrid player.

‘The situation has reached the point where Xabi Alonso has requested that, if necessary, the club include Alexander-Arnold in the deal to try and sign Reece James. The manager believes that including him as a bargaining chip could reduce the overall cost and facilitate an agreement with Chelsea, who wouldn’t be opposed to a negotiation of this magnitude.’

After Alexander-Arnold was booed by Liverpool fans earlier this season during his return with Real Madrid in the Champions League, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes suggested that he left for the worse team.

Scholes commented after Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Real Madrid: “He probably left a better team to go to a worse team.”