A man in a dark suit and tie appears next to the Real Madrid crest against a blurred background.
Juni Calafat with RM crest and incognito player | Camara Didac Aguirre
FIRST TEAM

Juni Calafat Moves in the Shadows for a Center-Back Who Isn't Huijsen, Shocker

The Unexpected Move Juni Calafat Has in Store to Set Aside the Operation for Huijsen

by

Didac Aguirre

One of the most important men at Real Madrid for years has been Juni Calafat. Mainly responsible for signing young prospects, Calafat has a very good eye for spotting great talents. While his specialty is finding young players with the potential to reach Real Madrid, he also monitors the progress of established stars.

This has been the case with Calafat and the possible signing of Ibrahima Konaté. Despite the Premier League having Dean Huijsen, Konaté has gained momentum to join Real Madrid. His situation with Liverpool has also sparked much more curiosity from a Real Madrid that trusts in Juni Calafat's judgment and skills.

A player in a red Liverpool FC jersey on the field.
Konaté at Liverpool | Didac Aguirre

While Dean Huijsen remains an option for Real Madrid, Konaté is the Premier League center-back the club is seeking. Looking ahead to the coming months, Calafat will be the main person in charge of working on an operation that would be a surprise for the Premier.

Calafat's Surprise

Considered a very solid center-back, Ibrahima Konaté has been shining at Liverpool since 2021. Despite his importance within the English squad, the player has not accepted any contract renewal offers. With his current contract expiring during the summer of 2026, this situation is an opportunity for Juni Calafat.

Being able to sign Konaté for a fairly accessible value, Calafat is ready to surprise with this transfer. However, the interest that PSG has also shown in the French center-back is a problem that Calafat will have to solve as soon as possible.

Soccer player celebrating a goal on the field wearing a red jersey.
Konaté Celebrating | Didac Aguirre

While Huijsen is a great center-back, his contract until 2030 and his release clause are reasons why he has been overshadowed by Konaté. The Frenchman, being 25 years old, can provide experience and youth to a squad grateful to Juni Calafat.

Calafat's Signing

Having extensive experience in signings, Calafat is confident in finding a way to secure Konaté's arrival. Although, in case the transfer has many complications, the option of Dean Huijsen remains present for Calafat and the team.

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