Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen is attracting interest from the biggest clubs in world football.
The January transfer window has shut, which means every club will immediately start planning for the market to reopen in the summer.
Ruben Amorim will want to strengthen multiple areas of his Manchester United squad – from defence to attack – but a lot depends on whether Ineos can spend big money on new signings due to financial restraints.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team have prioritised young recruits in the transfer window, such as Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, who both joined United before January’s deadline.
That is likely to continue in the summer, with United linked to several young prospects, including Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda and Christos Mouzakitis from Greek outfit Olympiacos.
This means United scouts will be busy for the remainder of the season, trying to identify players who can take United’s first-team forward next season and beyond.
Dean Huijsen of Bournemouth celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 with team-mates Illia Zabarnyi, Tyler Adams and Milos Kerkezand Illia Zabarnyi ...
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Manchester United and Real Madrid want Dean Huijsen
Former Juventus defender Dean Huijsen has grown spectacularly at Bournemouth over the past six months.
Huijsen is now attracting the attention of big clubs, such as United and Real Madrid, according to a report from AS in December.
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Juventus pocketed £12.6m for his sale last summer but could earn a further 10% of a future sale.
This is a sign that Amorim is not fully convinced by the group of defenders he has to select from at Old Trafford. That shouldn’t be a surprise following Lisandro Martinez’s injury, which could rule the Argentine out for the start of next season.
With Real Madrid also in the market for a young centre-back like Huijsen, United are set to face stiff competition for the Netherlands-born defender.
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Moreover, other clubs are expected to join the race for Huijsen between now and the end of the season, including Liverpool and Chelsea.
Manchester United could repeat Leny Yoro transfer hijack
United completed the signing of Leny Yoro ahead of Spanish champions Real Madrid last summer.
The Yoro deal was greeted with disappointment in Spain, amid hopes the La Liga giants would land one of the brightest prospects emerging from France.
Leny Yoro subbed on in extra time with United down to 10 men.
He then stepped up to take a penalty in the shootout and scored.
19 years old 👏 pic.twitter.com/RtiTfgoNgO
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 12, 2025
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Yoro is regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe right now, but he chose to develop at United over Madrid. It was a coup that stunned the football world.
However, if United’s interest in Huijsen is genuine, like AS state, the Reds will need to hijack another deal under Madrid’s nose.
This would cause uproar within the Spanish press, but it would show that Ineos mean business when it comes to luring young players in the football market.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co want a bright future for the club so it makes sense to fill the United squad with the best young players available.
United were never going to stop with Yoro. For instance, in January, two defenders under the age of 21 joined Amorim’s team.
Huijsen scored the opening goal when Bournemouth beat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford in December.
Bournemouth have only lost once (against Liverpool) since Huijsen and Illya Zabarnyi first placed together in the heart of defence.
Huijsen could be what United need to bolster the defence this summer.