Fabrizio Romano REVEALS how Liverpool plan to replace Dean Huijsen

Liverpool were feeling hopeful that a deal for Dean Huijsen could be done before Real Madrid came in, swooped him up and left all of his other suitors with egg on their faces.

As with most transfer deals, the fight against Los Blancos is one you're always likely to lose.

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However, the 20-year-old Spaniard was always likely to have the world's elite clubs approaching him after such an impressive Premier League campaign, so the Reds shouldn't feel to disappointed.

Furthermore, the club was always going to have a long list of potential centre-back targets, and while Huijsen might have featured high up on that list, the other options will now be considered instead.

Liverpool already know how they'll replace Huijsen

According to an article from Caught Offside, quoting Fabrizio Romano on his intel about the Reds' intended transfer business, it was revealed that Jorrel Hato is chosen target.

He said: "Liverpool already left the conversation [for Huijsen] more than 24 hours ago because they understood that the player was giving total priority to Real Madrid.

"Jorrel Hato is for sure on the list of Liverpool and Chelsea. Both clubs appreciate the player and have been monitoring him.

"It's not an easy negotiation with Ajax, he's a very important player for them, but he's one of the candidates for these two clubs now they are expected to miss on their target Dean Huijsen."

Of course, the link to Hato will not be a surprise for Liverpool fans. He has widely been linked the the club for some time, although he was initially in the conversation as a potential left-back recruit.

The 19-year-old Dutchman is a centre-back by trade, although he has been operating down the left flank a fair bit this season for Ajax, so he is a multi-faceted player who has a number of skills.

Him becoming a centre-back priority is unlikely to make a significant difference to Liverpool's plans, given a lot of left-back targets have been linked with the club and Hato would be able to play a couple of different roles if the club is able to get a deal across the line.

Likewise, the interest from Chelsea should not be surprising either, as the Blues have been included in many of the reports regarding the player, and so the competition for Hato's signature remains.

But Liverpool should have every right to feel confident about getting a deal across the line. He visited Anfield earlier this season to see his friend and former-teammate Ryan Gravenberch and given the Dutch contingent that are already at Liverpool, he would be sure to feel at home over on Merseyside.

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Although the pressure to sign him might now crack up a notch given Huijsen is now unavailable. Other targets will still be favoured, but none perhaps as much as Hato as a second choice candidate.

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