Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso seems sure to take the reins at Real Madrid after confirming his exit from Bayer Leverkusen and Jurgen Klopp appears to have given his blessing

Real Madrid are already planning for the summer transfer window after Xabi Alonso is appointed as manager, with the Spanish giants set to go head-to-head with Liverpool for a number of top targets

But the Frenchman is not top of their list of central defenders, that honour instead falling to Dean Huijsen. The 20-year-old from Bournemouth is reportedly on the radar of Europe's top clubs, including the Reds, with a £50m release clause meaning he can move this summer.