English Premier League
Mourinho considers bold Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield move at Real Madrid after Rodri setback
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is considering using Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield after the club’s hopes of signing Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri suffered a major setback.
Rodri is now close to joining Real Madrid’s rivals Barcelona, forcing the club to reassess its plans for the transfer window. Mourinho had identified the Manchester City player as one of his leading targets, viewing him as the midfielder capable of restoring the balance Real Madrid have lacked since Toni Kroos left.
However, Rodri’s preference for a move to Barcelona has led Mourinho to examine alternatives within his existing squad rather than immediately pursuing another signing.
Real Madrid already have a strong group of midfielders, including Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Bernardo Silva. Even so, Mourinho is still searching for the right combination, particularly after using a 4-2-3-1 formation during pre-season.
According to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, in a report carried by Sport, Mourinho is studying the unexpected option of moving Alexander-Arnold into midfield. The England international has traditionally been used on the right side of defence, but the manager is assessing whether his passing range and ability to help build attacks could be better used in a more central role.
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid from Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2025. His primary role was expected to be right-back, yet his technical quality, passing ability and understanding of how to construct play have made him a candidate for a more advanced position since before his move.
Mourinho is understood to have started testing the idea during pre-season, giving Alexander-Arnold more central responsibilities. The intention has been to exploit his ability to initiate attacks and contribute to the team’s build-up from the middle of the pitch.
The possibility of such a tactical change has become more significant following the failure to complete a deal for Rodri. Real Madrid have also brought in Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries to operate as a winger or right-back, potentially giving Mourinho greater freedom to use Alexander-Arnold away from his usual position.
The club had been expected to return to the transfer market to find a replacement for Rodri. Instead, Mourinho could surprise everyone by choosing an internal solution and adapting a player already in his squad.
That would see Alexander-Arnold move from right-back into a new role in Real Madrid’s midfield. The experiment would offer Mourinho an opportunity to address the team’s need for greater balance without waiting for further reinforcements, while also testing how effectively the England player can influence matches from a more central position.
