Real Madrid fans are starting to get a sense of what Trent Alexander-Arnold will offer next season.
Xabi Alonso's return to the Spanish capital has breathed new life into the club and renewed confidence they can launch title challenges in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in 2025/26.
Alonso signed off on a transfer to sign Spain international Dean Huijsen, with a deal for Trent in the works since the start of 2025, amid tense negotiations with Liverpool over his exit.
After the England international indicated he would not sign an Anfield extension beyond this summer, Liverpool held firm over the small print of his deal, and Real Madrid were eventually forced to pay £8.4m to release him.
Trent's previous contract ran until June 30, and with Alonso keen to have him on the flight to Miami for the FIFA Club World Cup, Los Blancos reached a deal with the Reds to end his long-standing link a month early.
The call to spend such a high fee in a bizarre setting was questioned - however, the financial risk has already paid off for Real Madrid - due to the financial rewards on offer at the Club World Cup.
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Trent laid on his first assist as a Real Madrid player in the 1-0 Round of 16 win over Juventus on July 1 with his cross headed home by rising star Gonzalo Garcia at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Has Trent 'repaid' Real Madrid transfer fee?
The financial 'payday' on offer at the Club World Cup has already yielded results for Alonso will the club guaranteed a minimum £9.3m [$12.81m] just for participating in the competition.
That figure was assured before Trent's arrival, but their in-competition pay has been bolstered by his performances, with a start in all four games so far in North America.
Real Madrid won two and drew one of their three group games, which landed a £9m [$12m] boost, including fees for results and a Round of 16 qualification bonus.
Victory over Juventus triggers another £9.5m [$13m] pay out, which more than covers the outlay to sign Trent early, as Alonso's side march on.
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