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It seems Liverpool can’t catch a break from Real Madrid in yet another transfer window.
First came the blow of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the right-back confirming he would leave Anfield at the end of his contract on June 30 to join Madrid as a free agent.
Real is pushing to have Alexander-Arnold released even earlier so he can feature in the Club World Cup in the United States next month, with negotiations ongoing over a compensation fee to facilitate his early arrival.
Surprisingly, recent reports emerged the Spanish giants have not made a financial offer to Liverpool and simply hope they will relent and allow the right-back to join them for nothing before his contract expires on June 30.
It has been suggested that the Reds would be unwilling to accept the initial token fee of £1 million – so to ask Liverpool to release Alexander-Arnold for free seems mind-boggling.
Now, David Ornstein has reported that Madrid have activated the £50 million release clause of Dean Huijsen, who was on Liverpool’s radar and shortlist for the centre-back position.
The Spanish giants are finalising a deal that will see the 20-year-old sign a five-year contract, with the fee to be paid in three instalments.
Madrid wants Huijsen in their squad for the Club World Cup, underlining their urgency and pulling power.
The defender, who joined Bournemouth from Juventus last summer on a six-year deal, had attracted interest from several Premier League clubs including Liverpool, but Madrid’s decisive move and the player’s desires have left the Reds empty-handed once again.
Fabrizio Romano has already named a possible alternative for the Anfield club.
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