Trent Alexander-Arnold's career at Real Madrid is unravelling into a nightmare, with rumours suggesting he could return to the Premier League in the upcoming transfer window.

The Englishman has struggled at Los Blancos since joining on a six-year contract from Liverpool, making just 41 appearances in all competitions and falling down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.

The 28-year-old has been an unused substitute in the last two matches - including the 4-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday - with Mourinho instead playing midfielder Federico Valverde ahead of him and Denzel Dumfries at right back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold warned against Premier League return

Speaking after Real Madrid's convincing win, which included a Kylian Mbappe brace, the Portuguese manager stated that it was “not easy to leave two quality right-backs on the bench” while praising Valverde.

But the decision to snub Alexander Arnold, even in the latter stages at the Santiago Bernabeu, has only raised further doubts over his long-term future at the club.

The England international has only averaged 53 minutes per game in La Liga, but despite his lack of game time, European football expert Andy Brassell isn't sure he should be considering an exit from the Spanish capital after being linked with a return to the Premier League.

"It is up to him, but so much of it depends on how much he plays between now and Christmas because if he only gets a couple of starts, he might think he's wasting his time," Brassell told talkSPORT.

"But no one often gets their dream move in January. You can probably count brilliant January signings on one hand.

"It is rare you get a player that hits the ground straightaway."

Brassell then went on to say that he thinks Dumfries is Mourinho's preferred option in that role, suggesting he may "need to think about things at the end of the season" and whether he's happy to be a bit-part player.

What four Premier League clubs want to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold's contract at Real doesn't expire until June 2031, meaning the La Liga giants are protected financially by his situation.

But that doesn't mean several clubs are put off by his long-term deal, with TEAMtalk revealing that four Premier League clubs are 'keeping a close eye on developments'.

Liverpool are one of the sides interested in bringing their academy graduate back to Anfield, and they're joined by Arsenal, Manchester City and Xabi Alonso's Chelsea, who worked with him for six months at the Bernabeu.

Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich are also monitoring his situation, and it is said that Real would consider a 'reasonable offer' for the full-back if it does arrive.

Steve Nicol, another former Liverpool right-back, thinks Alexander-Arnold "regrets" leaving Anfield and would "walk back into the team" under Andoni Iraola.

“I would be really surprised if he didn’t regret leaving Liverpool now,” Nicol told ESPN. “No, you don’t (have to always answer if Real Madrid come calling).

“Let’s get this clear, right? If he were at Liverpool, he would be playing every week. But he’s not; he’s at Real Madrid, and he is playing very rarely. How would he not regret being at Madrid?

“He has won everything; he hasn’t got time to learn anymore. He needs to be playing. He would walk back into the Liverpool team now.

“The question is. Right now, ‘What is he thinking?’ He is probably regretting it.”