Real Madrid Confidencial Barça Goes After a Real Madrid Castoff, Florentino Doesn't Want Him
The executives led by Joan Laporta reportedly set their sights on a footballer who was dismissed long ago
Both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are keeping an eye on the evolution of the transfer market in anticipation of new market opportunities to expand their squads. At the Valdebebas offices, they have closely followed the potential signings of Alphonso Davies and Trent Alexander-Arnold, although ultimately only Liverpool's '66' could arrive as a free agent.
Those two players weren't the only ones positioned on the arrival ramp of Santiago Bernabéu locker room, especially with the focus on the squad coached by Arne Slot. Because Liverpool faces several departures with free agency this summer besides their starting right-back: Virgil van Dijk is one of those chosen players.
The veteran Dutch center-back ends his contract with the red entity at the end of the current season and, for now, there haven't been significant advances in his renewal. In this context, the possibility of signing this player at zero cost, at least for a possible transfer, is very appealing to the FC Barcelona executives.
According to the information published by "Fichajes," the culé sports management would have placed Liverpool's '4' as a possible target for the summer market of 2025. The arrival of the Netherlands defender would considerably strengthen the core of Hansi Flick's defense, but it would be a medium-term addition: van Dijk is already 33 years old.
New Target
Real Madrid also considered, due to the shortage of center-backs in the first team, the possibility of acquiring his services as a free agent. While it was an attractive proposal, offering immediate effective results, it was ultimately discarded precisely because of its limited scope in Real Madrid's long-term sports projects.
The executives led by Florentino Pérez are seeking the addition of young defensive talents, capable of continuing alongside Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio in the defense of Real Madrid. In this regard, the name most circulating in the white orbit currently is also in the Premier League: Dean Huijsen.
This promising AFC Bournemouth center-back surprised the white scouts before his first draft and debut with the Spanish national team. Huijsen fits perfectly and meets all the requirements of Real Madrid's demanding recruitment policy: young, with elite experience, and of Spanish nationality.
In this context, Real Madrid aims to sign a great center-back project, providing longevity and durability to their defensive area... despite having to pay a significant transfer to close this operation. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona hopes to complete a 'free' signing, more focused on the competitive present, without looking beyond the next two or three seasons.
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