Dean Huijsen's representatives have landed in Spain to close a deal with Real Madrid, it has been claimed. Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a blockbuster summer move for the 20-year-old Bournemouth defender, but Real have appeared to be leading the race for his signature.
Huijsen arrived at Bournemouth in a £13million deal from Juventus last summer and has been one of the outstanding defenders in the Premier League this season. He scored and won the Player of the Match against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal this season, and that increased speculation regarding his future.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the Premier League clubs interested in signing Huijsen after impressing at Bournemouth. However, Real Madrid have since moved to the front of the queue for the former Roma man, with his camp travelling to Spain to finalise a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, as per Fabrizio Romano.
It's claimed that the length of Huijsen's contract is being discussed, with Real Madrid triggering his £50million release clause and that is set to be paid in three different instalments. One final green light is needed to proceed and seal the deal with Huijsen's camp, even if the player has always given priority to Real.
Xabi Alonso, who is set to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real's new head coach at the end of the season, asked the club to accelerate a deal to sign Huijsen as a 'quick solution'.
Sky Sports add that Real are hopeful they can tie up a deal in time for Huijsen to feature for them at the Club World Cup in June. Los Blancos travel to the United States to face Al-Hilal, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg in the group stage of the inaugural tournament next month.
In April, Huijsen was asked about the prospect of moving to Real Madrid in the summer. He said: "I don't know, we'll see. It's a big team. Every player wants to play in the maximum [level] possible. A friend called me and said... 'Go to Real Madrid'. I laughed. What am I going to say?"
Huijsen also reflected on the players and figures that have inspired him, with ex-Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos inspiring him. "Sergio Ramos has been my idol since I was little," he admitted.