In what could see Liverpool face off against Real Madrid once again, the Reds' reported target worth £50m has just delivered his verdict on a potential move to the La Liga giants this summer.
Liverpool target delivers Madrid verdict
From Champions League final defeats to Trent Alexander-Arnold's reported decision to swap Anfield for the Bernabeu this summer, Liverpool will be sick of the sight of Real Madrid. The chance to join the Spanish giants is a dream that not many turn down and that seemingly includes Alexander-Arnold, who looks set to ditch his boyhood club for the chance to become a Galactico.
Set to leave as a free agent, the Reds won't even have the opportunity to profit from one of their academy's greatest-ever products, but will have to turn towards the transfer market for a replacement nonetheless. Whether replacing such a unique talent is even possible remains to be seen, however.
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He could replace Alexander-Arnold.
So far, names such as Jeremie Frimpong have been mentioned the most. The Bayer Leverkusen star would certainly replicate Alexander-Arnold's attacking output, though question marks still remain over whether the Reds would simply be welcoming another defensive liability.
Away from right-back, meanwhile, Frimpong isn't the only defensive target that the Premier League's champions-elect have in mind. According to recent reports, Liverpool have also set their sights on signing Dean Huijsen, with FSG even making contact in pursuit of the defender who has a release clause worth just £50m at Bournemouth.
Once again, however, the Reds could be left cursing Real Madrid after Huijsen delivered his official verdict on a summer switch to the Bernabeu - claiming that it's an "honour" to have such interest.
Having already seemingly lost their battle to keep Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool could now be forced to watch on as their defensive target joins their academy product in Madrid this summer.
"Phenomenal" Huijsen is not one to miss out on
Almost a year on from his departure, Juventus are paying the price for showing Huijsen the door. At just 19 years old, the defender has taken the Premier League by storm and looks destined to reach the top of European football once again this summer. Dubbed "phenomenal" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Liverpool should go all out for the Spaniard's signature.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref) Dean Huijsen Virgil van Dijk
Progressive Carries 26 15
Progressive Passes 79 131
Tackles Won 20 14
Ball Recoveries 80 94
With Van Dijk currently heading towards the same free-agent status as Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool could even turn towards Huijsen to replace their defensive leader.
AFC Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen during the warm up before the match
The young Spaniard would struggle to be the leader that the Dutchman is, but the stats show that he could be just as talented in the coming years. At this stage though, it seems as though it's talent that Real Madrid are also well aware of ahead of the summer transfer window.