Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid: Eye-watering salary incoming – How would it stack up against Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius?

Real Madrid is on the verge of unveiling their next marquee signing, and the numbers involved are causing a stir across the soccer world. Headlines teased Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move with phrases like ‘insane’ and ‘crazy’ salary—and now, as the details emerge, that phrase is proving accurate.

Real Madrid is on the verge of unveiling their next marquee signing, and the numbers involved are causing a stir across the soccer world. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently confirmed he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2024-25 season after two decades of service at Anfield.

However, in the earliest stages of this unfolding saga, the true magnitude of his financial package was kept under wraps. Headlines teased his move with phrases like ‘insane’ and ‘crazy’ salary—and now, as the details emerge, that phrase is proving accurate.

The 26-year-old England international made his decision public following Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, sharing an emotional farewell video and statement. With 352 appearances, 23 goals, and 92 assists, Alexander-Arnold’s legacy as a homegrown icon is already secure.

“I have achieved all my childhood dreams at Liverpool,” he said in the video. “But now is the right time for a new challenge.”

The Reds acknowledged his departure with gratitude, stating he leaves with appreciation for his role in the club’s modern success, which includes two Premier League titles.

Real Madrid’s agreement: Length, terms, and big numbers

The widely anticipated move to Real Madrid will see Alexander-Arnold join up with fellow Englishman Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappe, in what is becoming a dream squad for life post-Carlo Ancelotti.

According to multiple sources, including Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sport’s Sacha Tavolieri, Alexander-Arnold will sign a five-year contract with a base salary of around €15 million ($17m) per year. That figure exceeds his Liverpool wage by about €4 million ($4.5m) annually, making this one of the most lucrative deals in his career—even if it doesn’t top Madrid’s wage list.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold is poised to receive a significant salary increase at Real,” wrote Tavolieri. “He will earn €15 million per year before taxes and bonuses.”

In addition to his salary, he is expected to pocket a €20 million ($23m) signing bonus, spread out across the length of his contract. This kind of bonus is increasingly common for free transfers, where clubs avoid a traditional transfer fee and instead compensate the player directly.

Still, when compared to Kylian Mbappe’s reported signing bonus of €150 million ($170.5m), Alexander-Arnold’s figure is modest. Mbappe reportedly earns €30 million ($34m) per year in bonuses alone, atop a similarly sized base salary, keeping him firmly atop the Galactico pay scale. Vinícius Jr also remains ahead of Alexander-Arnold in Madrid’s salary hierarchy.