Real Madrid targeting Bournemouth star to become standout summer buy: report

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Real Madrid are said to have been informed prospective new manager Xabi Alonso wants one player in particular from the Premier League

Xabi Alonso is the bookmakers favourite to take over at the Bernabeu this summer
Xabi Alonso is the bookmakers favourite to take over at the Bernabeu this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Real Madrid legend Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with a prospective move to Spain.

The 43-year-old - ranked at no.3 in FourFourTwo's list of the best managers in the world right now - has previously been touted as a potential successor for Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu. Alonso previously played for Los Blancos and won both La Liga and the Champions League during his five-year stay.

But given his managerial switch is for now all just hearsay, Alonso has reportedly been in touch with the hierarchy at the club and wants one player from the Premier League to help move forward Real Madrid's shaky defence.

Xabi Alonso wants underrated Bournemouth star at Real Madrid

Florentino Perez is not shy of splashing the cash as we have seen with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe

Florentino Perez is not shy of splashing the cash as we have seen with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rumours have already begun to circulate about Trent Alexander-Arnold's proposed move to Real Madrid in the summer. The Liverpool defender is now, according to information relayed by FourFourTwo this week, 90 per cent there in terms of his switch to Spain.

The Spanish giants want to also sign a new centre-back to help provide competition for the likes of Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, with a 19-year-old from Bournemouth having a brilliant season in England and could yet to be on his way back to his homeland very soon.

Andoni Iraola manager of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Bournemouth, England.

Andoni Iraola is doing a fantastic job on the south-coast (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to information from Fichajes, Real Madrid has been told by Alonso that if they want him as their new manager after Ancelotti, Dean Huijsen must be signed to help him in his rebuild.

Huijsen, 21, has played 20 times for the Cherries this season, after a summer move from Juventus in Serie A. He also found the net in Bournemouth's impressive 3-0 win at Manchester United back in December.

The report also states how Huijsen's ability to lead from the defensive line, as well as his skillset in the air has put him on the radar of several European clubs. Transfermarkt values the youngster at £15m at present.

Bournemouth would probably want more than double that for the defender given his breakthrough campaign at the Vitality Stadium. Real Madrid's lure may come further down the line but for now, he is under contract in England until 2030.

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is well liked by several European giants

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is well liked by several European giants (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's view, we can see Huijsen moving back to Spain at some point in his career but at 21, and after just one good season in the Premier League, it may be a few years yet before that big move to Real Madrid comes to fruition.

Bournemouth are in FA Cup action on Saturday as they host fellow Premier League side Everton in the fourth round of the competition.

Matthew Holt
Matthew Holt

Matthew Holt writes freelance for FourFourTwo, amongst others, and boasts previous experience at GOAL and SPORTBible. He now works with us alongside his time at Manchester United and Reach PLC, aiding with online content for the website. Career highs include working at the FA Cup final, as well as scoring at Old Trafford in front of the Stretford End. A long-term sufferer of his beloved Scunthorpe United, he is often seen on the padel court, as well as occasionally as a six-a-side call-up.