The emergence of a 17-year-old starlet could see Real Madrid abandon their pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold

Real Madrid intend to address their right-back situation next summer. The idea was for Trent Alexander-Arnold to be signed, as he can arrive as a free agent if he does not sign a new deal with Liverpool before the end of the season. However, those plans are not entirely set in stone.

Alexander-Arnold would not arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu until the end of the season, with Liverpool unlikely to agree to sell him in January – at least for a price that Real Madrid would consider acceptable. It means that Lucas Vazquez will remain first choice for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign, and one of his backups will be Jesus Fortea.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Fortea, who is only 17 years old, will remain with the first team for the foreseeable future. According to Marcoif he “explodes” before the end of the season, it could see club officials question whether Alexander-Arnold is needed.

It will be interesting to see if Carlo Ancelotti gives chances to Fortea this season. Even if it does so, and the teenager impresses, it would be a surprise if Real Madrid away from Alexander-Arnold – especially if he does not renew in Liverpool.