Money talks: The amount Real Madrid are paying Alexander-Arnold as signing bonus

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after a 20-year association with Liverpool.

The 26-year-old right-back will sign a five-year contract with the Spanish giants, which includes a substantial signing bonus and a significant salary increase, as per The Sun.

The England international refused to sign a new contract at Anfield and decided to part ways with his boyhood club for a new challenge.

Although it is still not confirmed that he is on his way to join Real Madrid, it is football’s worst kept secret since the right-back has been linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu for a long time and the Spanish giants have made no secret of their admiration for the Liverpool player.

Alexander-Arnold is getting a huge amount

According to Marca, Alexander-Arnold will receive a signing-on bonus of approximately €20 million (£17 million), distributed over the duration of his contract.

His annual salary is expected to be around €15 million (£13 million), marking a notable rise from his earnings at Liverpool.

Despite Liverpool’s efforts to retain him with a lucrative contract extension, Alexander-Arnold opted for a new challenge in Spain.

He expressed his desire for personal and professional growth as the primary motivation for the move.

Real Madrid are desperate for a new right-back

Real Madrid’s interest in Alexander-Arnold intensified following injuries to key players in their defensive positions.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have used Lucas Vasquez and Federico Valverde as their right-backs this season, players who are both not natural right-backs.

While money may not be a massive factor in Alexander-Arnold leaving the club, it still plays a role on a player’s mind.

Signing him as a free agent would give Real Madrid the opportunity to spend money on giving the player a signing-on bonus, something they have done with Kylian Mbappe in the past.

As far as Liverpool are concerned, they have already started working to replace the right-back and they are eyeing a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.

£80million Premier League star wants to leave his club to join Liverpool this summer