Jose Mourinho rules out January exit for out-of-favour Real Madrid defender

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly ruled out the possibility of Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving the club during the January transfer window, despite the defender’s limited involvement this season.

According to Defensa Central, the Portuguese coach wants to keep the England international involved in his plans and has no intention of allowing him to depart midway through the campaign.

Alexander-Arnold’s situation has attracted increasing attention in England, where speculation about a potential Premier League return has gathered momentum.

However, Real Madrid are not considering an immediate separation, with Mourinho keen to maintain stability within his squad as the season enters an important phase.

The defender’s lack of regular football remains a concern, but the manager reportedly believes he still has an important role to play.

Real Madrid are approaching a decisive period in the campaign, and Mourinho wants his players concentrating entirely on their performances rather than allowing transfer speculation or contractual situations to become distractions.

That message is particularly relevant for Alexander-Arnold, whose position has become increasingly complicated because of his limited opportunities.

Despite the growing speculation surrounding his future, however, the coaching staff reportedly have no plans to push him towards an exit in January.

Mourinho also wants to ensure that the defender does not feel isolated within the squad.

While regular starts are not guaranteed, the Portuguese manager intends to provide him with opportunities and keep him involved in the team’s plans.

The numbers help explain the difficulties Alexander-Arnold has experienced since the beginning of the season.

So far this season, the former Liverpool defender has accumulated just 345 minutes across competitions.

Of that total, 266 minutes have come in La Liga, while his remaining 79 minutes have been played in the UEFA Champions League.

Those figures fall considerably short of what the England international would have expected when he arrived at the Spanish club.

The increased competition following the arrival of Denzel Dumfries has also made his situation more complicated, something he was aware could happen.

Nevertheless, Mourinho recognises that Alexander-Arnold brings specific qualities to the side.

His passing range, creativity from wide defensive positions and ability to influence attacking transitions offer a different profile from Federico Valverde.

The growing speculation in England suggests that Alexander-Arnold could eventually consider returning to the Premier League if his playing time does not improve.

However, Mourinho’s stance indicates that such a possibility is not currently part of Real Madrid’s January plans.

The immediate challenge for the defender is to make the most of the opportunities that come his way.

With the season entering a demanding stretch, the capabilities that only he brings could influence how his role develops over the coming months.