Top 5 Premier League defenders nearing contract expiry: Who stays and who leaves?

With the season nearing its end, the futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ola Aina, Victor Lindelöf, and Kyle Walker-Peters remain uncertain. As contract talks stall and transfer rumors swirl, clubs must decide whether to extend key players or let them move on. Here's a closer look at each player's situation and what lies ahead.

Several Premier League defenders are set to see their contracts expire at the end of the season, spanning from clubs at the top of the table to those fighting at the bottom. Let’s examine their situations and predict whether they will extend their stay or seek new challenges elsewhere.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

The Liverpool right-back has been one of the best in his position for several years. A product of the club’s academy, Alexander-Arnold has made 349 appearances for his boyhood club since breaking into the senior team in 2016. However, in recent months, he has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Los Blancos have been scouting potential successors for Dani Carvajal, who is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in October. With a minimum recovery time of 8-10 months, Real Madrid were eager to secure Alexander-Arnold in January, given that his contract was nearing its end. However, Liverpool rejected all approaches at the time.

Now, at 26 years old, he can negotiate a pre-contract agreement, but no formal move has materialized yet. Nevertheless, it is widely expected that Alexander-Arnold will join his England teammate Jude Bellingham in Madrid this summer.

Prediction: LEAVE (Real Madrid)