According to the Manchester Evening News, Trent Alexander-Arnold could join Manchester United in a swap deal, though Carrick and Mourinho may clash over negotiations.

Manchester United's ability to sign Alexander-Arnold may depend on one of their players moving to Real Madrid in exchange. Mourinho may be interested in this deal, but Carrick, keen to maintain squad stability, may not share the same enthusiasm.

Alexander-Arnold, former Liverpool star, had a disappointing first season at the Bernabéu, attracting strong criticism from the Spanish press. Injuries hampered his form in the opening months, but he gradually established himself in the first team, making 30 appearances for Real Madrid during the season and contributing 5 assists.

Now with Mourinho's return to Real Madrid, uncertainty surrounding this transfer has intensified further. "The Special One" has never worked with Alexander-Arnold, and with reports suggesting Dumfries is poised to join from Inter Milan, Mourinho has hinted at imminent squad adjustments.

Meanwhile, Dalot has also been mentioned as a potential transfer target for Mourinho, and he could leave as a makeweight in the deal. Several Manchester United legends have expressed positive views on Alexander-Arnold potentially joining Manchester United, fuelling discussions about his return to the Premier League.

Former Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia recently publicly backed Alexander-Arnold to cross this "rivalry divide" in an interview with Hajper: "Trent is a player I admire greatly. He has excellent technical ability on his right foot, precise crossing, and strong defensive capabilities.

"He would be an important asset for Manchester United. He is familiar with the Premier League and knows what it takes to win Champions League and Premier League titles. He is a passionate player, and I would love to see him in a Manchester United shirt."

Sources suggest Carrick is determined to keep the Portuguese international, meaning Dalot is unlikely to be used as a makeweight. Mourinho brought his fellow countryman to Old Trafford during his tenure at Manchester United, and there are now rumours he hopes to reunite with Dalot at Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old Dalot never became the top-tier right-back Manchester United fans hoped for, but he can play across both flanks and still holds considerable value. He joined Manchester United from Porto in 2018, and if he sees out his current contract until 2028 (which includes a one-year extension option), his time at United would span a decade.

When Mourinho brought his compatriot to England, he praised Dalot, stating at the time: "For his age, he is the best left-back in Europe.

"He is a very talented young defender with all the qualities to develop rapidly into a key player for Manchester United. He has everything a full-back needs: physical attributes, tactical awareness, and technical ability, combined with the professionalism instilled by Porto's academy, making him ready for the demands of professional football."

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Furthermore, Real Madrid appear close to signing Dumfries, making Dalot's prospects as a makeweight even more remote. Although Real Madrid parted ways with Dani Carvajal this summer, it seems unlikely they will sign another right-back unless Alexander-Arnold departs.

It is extremely rare for players to move directly between Manchester United and Liverpool. Since Phil Chisnall in 1964, no first-team player has transferred directly between the two clubs; even scenarios where a player first transfers to another club before playing for both rivals are equally uncommon.

This also presents another hurdle for Alexander-Arnold's transfer—the English defender may hesitate for this reason. Many Liverpool supporters were already unhappy with Alexander-Arnold for allowing his Anfield contract to expire before leaving last year, and he may wish to maintain goodwill with his hometown fans as much as possible.

Valencia's former teammate Wes Brown has also urged Manchester United to sign Alexander-Arnold, stating in a recent interview with Compare.bet: "For Alexander-Arnold, joining Manchester United would be an excellent option. He is too good and would fit perfectly into Carrick's attacking tactics.

"Clearly, he is unhappy at Real Madrid. He is an excellent player that any team would want, and I think every Premier League team would like to sign him—who wouldn't want Trent in their squad?"

Last season, Carrick used Amad Diallo as an emergency right-back, and Mazraoui also rotated in that position when fit. However, it is widely believed Manchester United needs genuine reinforcement at this position.

Alexander-Arnold could be the ideal candidate, and Dalot could have been an important makeweight in this deal. However, the difficulty in facilitating such a controversial transfer this summer is immense, and Manchester United may struggle to overcome these complex obstacles.

Traduzido por IA.

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