Former Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is set to arrive at Anfield shortly, preparing to take charge ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Iraola, who is expected to replace the recently dismissed Arne Slot after his sacking last weekend, is already formulating plans to rebuild Liverpool’s squad and is eyeing a reunion with a player he previously managed at Bournemouth.

The Spaniard is working on shaping a new Liverpool side aimed at restoring the club’s status as a major trophy contender next season.

Liverpool recently bid farewell to two of their modern-day legends, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson, both of whom ended their celebrated nine-year tenures with the Reds in May.

Their departures were soon followed by Ibrahima Konate’s exit, another key figure in Liverpool’s defence during the modern era. The French centre-back confirmed his departure a few days later, though he did not get a chance to bid farewell in person as Salah and Robertson did.

Iraola is believed to have identified a potential replacement and is reportedly considering an ambitious move for Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen, who previously played under him at Bournemouth before transferring to LaLiga last summer.

As per reports from Fichajes, Real Madrid are reluctant to part ways with their young centre-back. However, with the Spanish giants under pressure following what could become a third consecutive season without silverware, unexpected transfer decisions may be on the horizon.

Huijsen had an underwhelming first season in Spain’s top flight, and Real Madrid currently face internal challenges, including disputes within the club and an approaching presidential election, adding further uncertainty to their transfer stance.

From Iraola’s viewpoint, bringing back Huijsen—a player who impressed enough at Bournemouth to draw interest from Real Madrid and other European powerhouses—appears to be a logical step towards filling the void left by Konate’s departure.

The reported transfer fee under discussion is around €70 million, a move that would net Real Madrid an approximate profit of €10 million just a year after signing the young defender.

Ultimately, the decision is expected to depend on Huijsen’s own career ambitions and Real Madrid’s willingness to either cash in now or wait for a larger fee in the future, should his potential continue to grow.

Heading into the 2026/27 season, Liverpool’s financial flexibility remains uncertain. If Los Blancos choose to raise their asking price, it could complicate Iraola’s pursuit of the player.

The Reds have already made significant investments since their 2025 Premier League title success, with £300 million spent on attacking talents Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak.

After losing Salah, Konate, and Robertson on free transfers at the end of their contracts, Liverpool may now be forced to spend big again to strengthen an increasingly fragile squad.

Although the club has secured the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, the era of Virgil van Dijk is nearing its conclusion, making the addition of another young centre-back a key priority for Iraola and his recruitment team this summer.