Xabi Alonso has yet to be confirmed as the new Real Madrid boss but the club are already making moves in the transfer market.
The BBC reported this morning that Madrid had met the release clause of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen and renewed their interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Reinforcements are needed at the Santiago Bernabeu following a season that is likely to end without a trophy. Madrid kept the Liga title race alive last night with a late 2-1 win over Real Mallorca but Barcelona will make sure of the trophy if they win at city rivals Espanyol.
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Madrid lost the final of the Copa del Rey to Barca and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage following a convincing two-legged defeat to Arsenal.
Carlo Ancelotti will leave following the club’s final game of the season to take over as head coach of Brazil with Alonso set to replace him.
Huijsen set for Madrid switch
The current Bayer Leverkusen boss will have the chance to work with Huijsen when he arrives in the Spanish capital.
The 20-year-old has been a revelation after joining Bournemouth from Juventus last summer for £12.6million, making 34 appearances under Andoni Iraola.
His form has prompted interest from most of Europe’s big clubs but the Spain international has opted for Madrid and will move for a fee of £50m.
The BBC claim Alonso was instrumental in targeting Huijsen while Spanish daily AS report he is also eager to bolster his midfield with Zubimendi.
Zubimendi the next target
The 26-year-old came close to joining Liverpool last summer only to change his mind and remain in San Sebastián. The expectation this summer was that he would move to Arsenal with the Gunners long-time admirers of the Basque.
However, with the Madrid midfield in need of a major overhaul, Alonso has made clear he would like Zubimendi to be a part of that, especially with the player having a relatively affordable £50m release clause.
Madrid will also sign Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer with the England full-back having already stated he will not be extending his contract at Liverpool.
Right-back has been a major issue for Ancelotti this season with Dani Carvajal sustaining a long-term injury. Lucas Vazquez has filled in while Fede Valverde, the club’s best midfielder, has also regularly dropped back into defence.
