Real Madrid has put itself in full control of Trent Alexander-Arnold's future after inserting a $1 billion release clause in his six-year contract with the club.

The worst-kept secret in soccer was confirmed on Friday as Liverpool announced it had accepted an offer from Madrid to sign the 26-year-old.

Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract is due to to expire on June 30, but rather than waiting to secure him as a free agent on July 1, Madrid agreed to pay $13.5 million to land him a month early in order to ensure he is part of the squad when the Club World Cup starts in mid-June.



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That is a colossal sum considering the circumstances, but it pales in comparison to the release clause that has been put in his deal with the Spanish club.

Of course, the $1 billion clause has been inserted simply to put off any potential future buyers, which was also the case when Madrid inserted the same clause in Vinicius Junior's deal.

Rodrigo, Ernesto Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni also have $1 billion release clauses in their contracts.

Liverpool issued a statement on Friday it had accepted an offer from Real Madrid for Alexander-Arnold

The statement said: "Liverpool FC can confirm an offer has been accepted for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid for his transfer upon the opening of the June transfer window.

"The full-back is now set to join the La Liga club ahead of the expiry of his Reds contract this summer

Liverpool will receive a fee for his services, with the deal to be concluded once the window opens on June 1.



Trent Alexander-Arnold signed off from Liverpool by winning the Premier League

"Alexander-Arnold joined the club’s Academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks to make his senior competitive debut in October 2016.

"He now departs Anfield after 354 appearances and 23 goals for the club, as well as lifting eight major honours alongside his teammates, which consist of two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups.

"Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool FC with the club appreciative and grateful for his contribution to those successes."

Meanwhile, Liverpool is closing in on Jeremie Frimpong as a replacement for Alexander-Arnold after the Netherlands international touched down in the UK to finalize his transfer earlier this week.

Liverpool agreed to trigger the $39 million release clause in Frimpong's Leverkusen contract, and he successfully underwent a medical earlier this month.