Iraola targets Dean Huijsen in €70m Real Madrid raid as Liverpool rebuild begins

Andoni Iraola is already targeting his first signing as Liverpool head coach, with reports linking the club to Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen in a deal worth approximately €70 million.

Iraola, set to take charge at Anfield following the sacking of Arne Slot, is said to be keen on reuniting with Huijsen, whom he worked with during the defender’s time at Bournemouth before the 21-year-old moved to Real Madrid last summer. The Spaniard views Huijsen as the natural replacement for Ibrahima Konate, who confirmed his departure from Liverpool shortly after Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson ended their respective nine-year spells at the club in May.

According to a report from Fichajes, Real Madrid are reluctant to part with Huijsen so soon after signing him, but internal pressures — including the prospect of a third consecutive trophy-less season, ongoing inter-club disputes, and an upcoming presidential election — could force the club’s hand.

Huijsen had a mixed debut campaign in LaLiga, yet Iraola’s interest reflects the level of faith he placed in the defender during their time together on the south coast of England. The reported €70 million fee would hand Real Madrid a profit of close to €10 million on a player they acquired less than 12 months ago.

The outcome of any potential deal is likely to rest on two factors: Huijsen’s own ambitions at this stage of his career, and whether Real Madrid decide to hold out for a significantly higher valuation further down the line, should they believe his ceiling justifies the wait.

Liverpool’s financial position heading into next season remains uncertain, and any attempt by Real Madrid to push the asking price beyond the figures currently being discussed could complicate Iraola’s plans before his tenure has even officially begun.