Neville slams 'p***-take' in TAA saga before insisting 'I don't agree'

Gary Neville has taken issue with a section of Liverpool fans' reasons for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of his likely move to Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Gary Neville has described Real Madrid’s approach to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in January as a “p***-take”. Although the Manchester United legend also said he “doesn’t agree” with Liverpool fans that the defender should have signed a new contract in January just so his boyhood club would have received a transfer fee for him.

Alexander-Arnold finally put all the uncertainty surrounding his future to bed last week as he confirmed he would be leaving the Reds once his contract expires at the end of this season.

The 26-year-old, who signed for the Anfield side as a six-year-old, is expected to join La Liga giants Real Madrid. It marks the end of a long saga which saw the right-back booed by his own frustrated supporters on Sunday after he came on as a substitute against Arsenal.

Liverpool fans have voiced their anger for various reasons, from believing that he is joining a direct European rival, to alleging he went behind the club’s back by agreeing to sign for Real a while back, ensuring the Reds missed out on receiving a transfer fee for him.

Anfield legend Jamie Carragher re-iterated that point on The Overlap Fan Debate, claiming the lack of compensation after all of Liverpool’s work in making him the player he is today has affected his standing among supporters.

Neville, however, pointed out that the Reds had the chance to secure money for him in the January transfer window when Los Blancos offered £20million, meaning they can’t be angry at the player. Yet, he did criticise Real Madrid’s approach, given their low offer was never likely to be accepted, as well as the timing of it in the midst of Liverpool’s Premier League title chase.

Neville began by saying: “Liverpool could have taken £20m for him in January which was four months before the end of his contract. I know that was something they were never going to do but they could’ve got money for him.

“I thought it was a bit provocative from Real Madrid. I thought it was a p***-take to be honest with you but they [Liverpool] could’ve got £20m for him. It would have risked them winning the league but they could’ve got cash for him.”

He went on to defend Alexander-Arnold by saying: “[Liverpool] weren’t willing to risk their position to get £20m but they wanted him to risk his position by signing a contract."

Neville made clear: "That’s the bit I don't agree with. I don’t think he should’ve signed a contract just so the club got money.”

Carragher in January claimed that Alexander-Arnold or his representatives may have encouraged Real to make the bid for him in the first place. The former Reds centre-back told Neville: “They're bullies, Real Madrid.

“My problem with it is, they have bid on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold or his agent saying, ‘Put a bid in.' Because they wouldn't put a bid in, they wouldn't do that unless they get the say so.

“But all those parties know Liverpool are going to turn that down anyway, so what are you trying to create? What noise are you (trying to make)? Liverpool are not going to sell Trent in January going for a league title.

“What I'm saying is, let's not be naive here. No one puts bids in now unless they've already spoken to the player about it. If it gets accepted, would you come? People know before they put bids in.

“I think for that to come out when it did, I was not happy about that at all. For me, we're probably not the best people to speak to about this because we've never been involved in a transfer and we're probably two of the biggest club men who always put the club first.”

Neville responded: “You know when you bid £20m for that player, you know a club like Liverpool are not going to accept that bid. So you're almost in some ways insulting them, you are.”

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