Jude Bellingham has avoided commenting on the future of his close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold but emphasized that Real Madrid operate on a “different level” compared to Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires next summer, is currently set to leave on a free transfer, with negotiations over an extension yet to progress.
Real Madrid have long been linked with the right-back, and recent reports from Spanish media have intensified speculation about a potential move to the Bernabeu.
Bellingham, who will make his first-ever appearance at Anfield on Wednesday when Liverpool host Real Madrid in the Champions League, has developed a close bond with the 26-year-old during their time with the England national team.
When asked about the possibility of teaming up with Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid next season, the midfielder responded: “I’ll be playing alongside him next season for England anyway. That will be a guarantee.
“But he’s a Liverpool player and it would be disrespectful to come to his home today with a big game tomorrow and talk about something that could be misconstrued so it’s important to take that pressure off him. I want him to do really well normally. Just not tomorrow.”
Liverpool were one of several clubs pursuing Jude Bellingham last year when the midfielder decided to leave Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga side he joined from Birmingham City at just 17 years old in 2020.
Bellingham said: “It probably wasn’t as close as a lot of the media made out. I had conversations with a few clubs when leaving Borussia Dortmund and making that decision. They gave me permission to speak to a few clubs.
“One thing I have to say is all the clubs I spoke to were very respectful of me and my family which was something I really respected.
“But when Real Madrid come knocking on the door it shakes the whole house. It’s hard not to open and accept. It’s not a matter the other teams weren’t good or were bad when I spoke to them, it’s just that Real Madrid are on a different level.”
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