Andoni Iraola is closing in on the Liverpool manager’s job, and reports suggest he has already begun identifying transfer targets ahead of a summer rebuild.
The Spanish coach is leaving Bournemouth when his contract expires and has been strongly linked with the Anfield vacancy following the sacking of Arne Slot.
BBC Sport and other outlets have connected Iraola to the role, with the appointment appearing increasingly likely as the summer transfer window approaches.
According to a report from Fichajes, Iraola has already spoken to Liverpool about potential signings and has made Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen one of his priorities.
The 21-year-old defender is a player Iraola knows extremely well, having worked with him closely during his time at Bournemouth last season.
Huijsen’s impressive performances for the Cherries attracted interest from several top clubs before he ultimately made the move to Real Madrid.
However, the young centre-back has not been entirely convincing during his time at the Bernabeu, which could open the door for clubs to pursue him this summer.
Liverpool have a clear need to strengthen defensively following the departure of Ibrahima Konate, who left the club on a free transfer.
Huijsen is seen as a natural fit to fill that void, and his existing relationship with Iraola gives the Reds a potential edge in any transfer pursuit.
The reported valuation of Huijsen stands at around €70 million, which would represent a significant outlay for Liverpool as they look to reshape their backline.
Beyond replacing Konate, Iraola will also need to consider the long-term future of experienced Netherlands international Virgil van Dijk, who is no longer in the first flush of his career.
There are signs that van Dijk may be moving past his peak at this level, meaning Liverpool could potentially require two centre-back signings before the new season begins.
TEAMtalk have also reported that Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez is another name on Liverpool’s radar as they assess their options in central defence.
With multiple positions potentially needing to be addressed, Iraola’s reported early involvement in transfer planning suggests he is eager to hit the ground running at Anfield.
If the Huijsen deal comes together, it would represent a swift and decisive reunion between manager and player at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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