AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is set to be in high demand this summer.AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is set to be in high demand this summer.
AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is set to be in high demand this summer. | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are set to battle it out for AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen this summer.
AFC Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen was quizzed about his future following the Cherries’ impressive 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, boosting the south coast club’s hopes of securing European football next season.
Declan Rice opened the scoring for the Gunners after 34 minutes but Mikel Arteta’s men could not hold onto that lead as they endure a badly timed blip in form with the second leg of the Champions League semi final against Paris Saint-Germain this week. Huijsen pulled one back for the visitors, heading home from an unconventional Antoine Semenyo long throw, before Evanilson found a winner just eight minutes later.
It’s been a head-turning season for Andoni Iraola and his AFC Bournemouth side with several first team stars said to be of interest to Premier League rivals once the summer window opens. One of those is Huijsen.
Chelsea and Arsenal eyeing Dean Huijsen transfer
The 20-year-old only made the move to the Vitality Stadium from Juventus last summer but, with a £51 million release clause in his deal, is tipped for an exit after just 12 months. The Standard have named Chelsea and Liverpool as two frontrunners to snap up the Spanish international with The Independent claiming that Arsenal have also joined that race.
Gunners defender William Saliba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid with the future of Jakub Kiwior also in doubt. Arsenal are expected to be in the market for a centre-back this summer with the side missing Brazilian Gabriel Magalhães since his injury.
Huijsen was given the Player of the Match Award for his efforts against Arsenal and was asked about the transfer rumours swirling around his name. He told Sky Sports: “I think I’m pretty relaxed. I’m just a chill guy. I don’t really think about it too much.”
The defender went on to praise the ‘great group and great staff’ at AFC Bournemouth and added: “I enjoy my football and enjoy myself. At the moment I’m just having fun playing football and it’s going well so I’m really happy.”
Huijsen and AFC Bournemouth target European football
Huijsen and his Cherries colleagues have their eyes on the race for European football with three matches left to play this season. There could be between eight and 11 Premier League teams playing football on the continent next term.
Reacting to the Arsenal win, Huijsen said: “First of all, we knew that we’d never got a point here and that motivated us more. We’re a team that always gives it our all and it’s a really important three points for us. In the first half, we were good with phases but they were probably better than us. In the second half, we put more rhythm into the match and it worked.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect that he [Semenyo] could throw that long. We’ve tried it in a few other games and it’s been a bit trial and error but it worked today. I’m always joking about it with him but it worked, so I can’t make anymore jokes! He’s a strong guy but I always joke he’s that strong but can’t throw it that far, but I guess he proved me wrong.
“First of all, we’ve already beaten the points record. This is such an important win for us, we just need to continue like this. We have some difficult games but it would be great for us [achieving European football], everyone wants to be a part of making history at a club and you always remember that. Hopefully we can make it.”
In other news, Arsenal striker set for exit before Andrea Berta ignites Ollie Watkins transfer battle.
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