Dean Huijsen AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid hold a strong interest in Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen but according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool are the current favourites to sign the defender.
Dean Huijsen has caught everyone’s attention with his fine performances this season and his £50 million release clause makes him a very lucrative target. Also, the fact that his release clause can be paid in three installments has made him one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe.
Bayern are strong contenders to sign the 20-year-old but they will need to make sales before they can make a move for the youngster. However, the Bavarians will need time to do that and Dean Huijsen is expected to decide his future early on in the summer.
Which move is best suited for the Bournemouth centre-back?
Not matter which club he joins, Dean Huijsen will not become a regular starter next season. At Arsenal and also at Liverpool, he will have to start on the bench and then slowly make his way into the starting lineup.
The 20-year-old has all the qualities to succeed at Liverpool as well as Arsenal but we think, a move to Merseyside will be better suited for him.
Mikel Arteta has two strong and consistent centre-backs in the form of Gabriel and William Saliba and neither of them will be sold this summer. In such a scenario, Dean Huijsen will have to really struggle to get minutes under his belt. Unless there’s an injury the defender will playing in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup games.
He will face a similar situation at Liverpool as well but at Anfield, he will have the chance to become the long-term replacement to Van Dijk. VVD might have gotten a new contract but he is 33 years old and will need replacing in the next one or two years.
Also, Ibrahima Konate is not the best centre-back in the world and if his form dips, Arne Slot won’t hesitate to replace him with Dean Huijsen.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool have limited defensive options so at both clubs, Huijsen will get a decent amount of game time. However, at Anfield, he will have the opportunity to play for the champions of England and at the same time, he will have a genuine shot at winning silverware next season.
Will Real Madrid make any serious effort to sign Dean Huijsen?
Real Madrid have been heavily linked with Dean Huijsen in recent weeks but with Xabi Alonso set to come in, Los Blancos will shift their focus elsewhere.
Alonso is reportedly a huge fan of Spurs’ Cristian Romero and the new manager has urged Florentino Perez to sign the Argentine international. Spurs are asking £50 million for Romero and Xabi may choose to invest that kind of money on a more experienced and seasoned centre-back.