€70m centre-back will be Andoni Iraola's welcome gift

Andoni Iraola is coming to Liverpool.

Arne Slot lost his job as the Reds’ head coach over the weekend. The 47-year-old Dutchman - who won the Premier League title in his first season in charge - did not survive his end-of-season review.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes decided to dispense with the former Feyenoord boss’s services - with a year left on his contract.

Anfield is therefore set to be shaken up with Iraola identified as the coach to take the team forward.

The 43-year-old Basque tactician has won renown for his work at Bournemouth over the last three seasons - as well as before that appointment with Rayo Vallecano.

Iraola led the Cherries to European football for the first time ever courtesy of a sixth-place finish - only one place behind Liverpool in the table.

He did so without the services of Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Antoine Semenyo among others - who were all sold by the south coast side last season.

Iraola has worked wonders under tight constraints at Dean Court - improving players at his disposal such as Rayan and Eli Junior Kroupi.

Andoni Iraola wants Dean Huijsen at Liverpool

And according to a report from Fichajes in Spain Iraola is ready to welcome a former Bournemouth star to Anfield. Huijsen, 21, was sold to Real Madrid last summer for around €63m.

The Spanish international endured a tough first season at the Bernabeu however - costing him a spot in Spain’s FIFA World Cup squad.

“Liverpool are looking to capitalize on this situation,” the report reads.

“Iraola has reportedly requested a significant investment to bring back a defender perfectly suited to his tactical vision.

“The figure being discussed is around €70 million. It wouldn't be a simple operation, but it would certainly send a strong message about the Reds' project.”

Liverpool's pressing need for centre-back reinforcements

Liverpool have a pressing need for senior centre-back options. They have lost Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer - who is expected to join Trent Alexander-Arnold in Madrid.

Others - such as Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk - are out of contract just one year later in 2027.

The Reds have brought in Jeremy Jacquet, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Giovanni Leoni over the course of the past year but could do with alternatives in the position who have got high-class experience.

Huijsen fits the bill as a reported former Liverpool target and the Dutch-born defender could well become Iraola’s welcome gift when his appointment at Anfield is officially ratified.

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