UMVA has learned that Andoni Iraola is rapidly becoming the frontrunner to take over as Liverpool manager, and with that, transfer rumors are beginning to swirl about the players he wants to bring on board.
The Spanish tactician, set to leave Bournemouth at the end of his contract, has been strongly linked with the Liverpool job following the recent departure of Arne Slot. Now, whispers are emerging that Iraola has already approached Liverpool about potential signings, with a top priority being Real Madrid's talented young centre-back, Dean Huijsen.
Liverpool is in dire need of defensive reinforcements this summer, particularly after Ibrahima Konate's departure on a free transfer. Huijsen, who played under Iraola at Bournemouth last season, could be an attractive option. The 21-year-old showed exceptional form for the Cherries, catching the eye of several bigger clubs before ultimately joining Real Madrid.
Despite his potential, Huijsen's time at the Bernabeu has been somewhat underwhelming, sparking speculation that he might be available for transfer this summer. Given Liverpool's defensive needs and Iraola's familiarity with the player, this potential move could make sense for all parties involved.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Iraola is keen on Huijsen, but Liverpool's defensive overhaul might not stop there. With Virgil van Dijk's future uncertain and the Dutchman approaching the twilight of his career, Iraola may need to consider another centre-back signing to bolster the squad.
Other names are emerging on Liverpool's radar, including Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez. As the transfer window heats up, it will be intriguing to see if Iraola's links with Huijsen come to fruition and how Liverpool address their defensive needs under their potential new manager.
