Real Madrid are preparing to head off on FIFA Club World Cup duty in the coming days.
New boss Xabi Alonso is determined to secure a positive start to his return in the Spanish capital after agreeing a three-year deal to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso will take a strong squad to the USA including two new signings after completing a double transfer raid on the Premier League.
Liverpool charged the La Liga giants a £10m [$14m] fee to bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold a month before his contract expired at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold will join up his new teammates in Madrid once he is released from England duty ahead of the Club World Cup flight.
Alongside a deal for Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid also activated Dean Huijsen’s £50m [$67.5m] release clause at Bournemouth, with the Spain international set to lead a new-look defence under Alonso.
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However, the ongoing international break will cause some delays for Real Madrid, with players on duty in South America expected to fly directly to the USA.
Huijsen’s international camp with Spain has now been extended after a Lamine Yamal-inspired La Roja sealed a wild 5-4 UEFA Nations League semi final win over France.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored Portugal’s winner, in their 2-1 semi final victory against hosts Germany, to set up a final date with Spain in Munich on June 10.
Huijsen will come face-to-face with Ronaldo for the first time in his career, with the 20-year-old establishing himself in Luis de la Fuente’s backline, and the former Cherries star is ready for the challenge of Ronaldo.
“For me, he’s one of the best in history. For every young player, who plays against Cristiano Ronaldo it’s a dream. Let’s see if I can stop him,” as per quotes from Mundo Deportivo.
Huijsen has the unusual role of being the sole Real Madrid player in de la Fuente’s squad – despite not making his club debut yet – as Real Madrid kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Al Hilal on June 18 in Miami.
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