Real Madrid to hand Andoni Iraola nightmare Liverpool start with approach for another player

Incoming Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is set to be dealt another major transfer blow courtesy of Real Madrid after they made another Reds player a top target.

Los Blancos snapped up Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, paying a fee of around £8 million so that he could feature in the Club World Cup tournament.

However a year on and Real have followed that up by poaching centre-back Ibrahima Konate, who has a verbal agreement for a four-year contract after failing to come to terms on a new contract at Anfield.

With his deal expiring and no agreement struck, Konate's final game as a Liverpool player came against Brentford on 24 May.

It was also the last game at the helm for Arne Slot, who was given the boot and is now about to be replaced by Andoni Iraola on a two-year deal - with only a formal announcement remaining.

But while Iraola had an unusual request granted during contract talks, the Spaniard could lose another key man to Los Blancos.

According to ElDesmarque, Alexis Mac Allister is Real's top midfield target and Florentino Perez will go all out for him if he is successful in Sunday's presidential election.

Perez has been challenged by Enrique Riquelme, the hopeful who is promising superstar signings - and the long-time chief will appoint Jose Mourinho for a second time if he emerges victorious in the polls.

READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate turned down huge offer to sign for Real Madrid on free transfer

Beyond that, Mac Allister is firmly on the club's radar ahead of the transfer window opening on July 1 in Spain.

The Argentine, who joined from Brighton in 2023, has two years remaining on his Liverpool contract.

Real Madrid reach agreement for second summer signing after Ibrahima Konate

After a disappointing trohpyless season, Real have wasted no time in making moves to ensure a repeat scenario does not occur next term.

It's understood that Mourinho has demanded a raft of new recruits to strengthen his squad. High on his priorities is another right-back following the departure of club legend Dani Carvajal after a 23-year association.

Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries was earmarked as an early target and on Tuesday evening transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported that the transfer had been given the "here we go".

The deal for the Inter Milan man has been closed before he appears for the Netherlands at the World Cup, with only formal steps left to conclude.

Real are getting Dumfries for a cheap fee, activating a €20 million release clause that did have an expiration date.