That's how the market works: Sometimes a new transfer is good to strengthen one squad while weakening another. This is what Florentino Pérez is looking for with Trent Alexander-Arnold's transfer.
The Deal with Alexander-Arnold is Closed
The agreement is complete and closed. Alexander-Arnold ends his contract with Liverpool, doesn't renew it, becomes a free agent and signs for Real Madrid at zero cost.
Real Madrid could even force an early arrival by agreeing a symbolic amount with Liverpool just a few months before the end of the contract.
A great move by Florentino Pérez, who has specialized in operations of this nature. But the effects of this transfer don't stop there.
Liverpool will be forced to cover the absence of its departing player and has found the best substitute on the market.
That is French international of FC Barcelona Jules Koundé, who's become the first target at Anfield Road for the next season.
Liverpool has set their sights on FC Barcelona defender Jules Koundé, as reported by website fichajes.net.
Arne Solt is enthusiastic about Koundé's versatility, as he can successfully play both as a full-back and as a center-back.
Florentino Pérez's masterstroke
In addition, Koundé brings together the virtues that Alexander-Arnold possesses: versatility, defensive strength and offensive creativity.
According to Transfer News Life, Liverpool has already approached FC Barcelona offering 50 million euros for the French defender.
With this masterstroke, Real Madrid deprives Liverpool of one of its stars. Simultaneously and for the same price, it weakens Barça, its rival in Spain, by taking away Koundé. The serendipity couldn't have been better for Florentino Pérez.
This domino effect couldn't have been more profitable for Real Madrid. Koundé is one of the most valuable players in the current FC Barcelona squad. A hasty departure of Koundé would complicate things for Hansi Flick.
In this sense, Koundé would have the chance to play as a center-back at Anfield. It's the position in which he feels most comfortable and in which he can't play either for Barça or for France.