Andrea Berta and Arsenal had been linked with the AFC Bournemouth defender.Andrea Berta and Arsenal had been linked with the AFC Bournemouth defender.
Andrea Berta and Arsenal had been linked with the AFC Bournemouth defender. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Real Madrid have landed a major transfer coup in beating Premier League sides including Arsenal and Chelsea to an AFC Bournemouth star.
Arsenal technical director Andrea Berta has reportedly been flexing his transfer knowhow in recent weeks amid reports of deals for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Sporting CP bagsman Viktor Gyokeres. However, the Gunners appear to have lost the race for another key target ahead of the summer.
Concentrating on those two additions appears to have seen Arsenal slip behind in the race for AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen and La Liga giants Real Madrid appear to have dealt a fatal blow.
Dean Huijsen signs Real Madrid contract
Sky Sports are just one of several outlets to credit the Gunners with transfer interest in Huijsen, alongside Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United. The 20-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding breakout season in the Premier League, having made the move to the Vitality Stadium from Juventus for £12 million last summer.
Towards the end of the week, it was claimed that Real Madrid had agreed a £50 million transfer fee with the Cherries, a huge profit for the Premier League team. Huijsen has made 30 top flight appearances this term in an impressive campaign for AFC Bournemouth.
On Saturday morning, Sky Sports have now claimed that the move to Madrid is a done deal with a contract signed overnight. A post on social media platform X read: “Sky Sports News understands Dean Huijsen has formally signed his Real Madrid contract ahead of his £50m move from Bournemouth. Huijsen put pen to paper on a five-year deal late last night and will be available for the Club World Cup.”
AFC Bournemouth have since confirmed the transfer news themselves. In a statement shared to the club website, the Cherries said: “AFC Bournemouth can confirm that defender Dean Huijsen will join Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, with the Spanish side having activated a £50 million release clause.
“The centre-back, who joined the Cherries from Juventus last summer, has been instrumental in the club’s record-breaking campaign, which has seen Andoni Iraola’s side already break their highest points tally in the Premier League.
“Huijsen has made 30 appearances in the top flight this season, scoring goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal. The 20-year-old also earned his first caps for the Spanish national team in March, following a string of impressive performances for the Cherries.
“Everyone at AFC Bournemouth is looking forward to working with Dean for the remaining two games of the Premier League season, before he embarks on the next step of his career.”
Arsenal lose race to sign Premier League defender
Huijsen has received praise from several former players and pundits over the course of the 2024/25 season - which he will finish with AFC Bournemouth before making the move to Spain. Speaking after the defender helped Andoni Iraola’s side to a win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium with a goal, Jamie Redknapp said: “Everybody looks up to this young man. 20 years of age, he is so cool, so composed, so chilled. I mean, he just makes the game look so easy and effortless. For a 20-year-old to be playing at this level and doing what he is. That’s why he’s coveted by pretty much everybody in Europe.”
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.”
In other news, Arsenal sign £68m ace, £51m midfielder & Sporting CP duo in starting XI next season if rumours are true.
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