Huijsen has been one of the breakthrough stars of the season in the Premier League, making 18 senior starts since establishing himself in the Cherries’ first team following a summer move from Juventus.
The 19-year-old has rapidly developed into one of the most exciting prospects in English football, and with his current Bournemouth contract containing a £50m release clause, there is very little chance of him remaining at the Vitality Stadium beyond the end of the summer transfer window.
Newcastle have been in the market for a new centre-half for the last 12 months, with a £60m move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi having fallen through last summer.
While the Magpies are expected to retain Fabian Schar, who is on the verge of signing a new deal that will prevent him from leaving as a free agent at the end of the current campaign, there are major doubts over the future of Jamaal Lascelles. The club captain is also due to reach the end of his current deal this summer and has not kicked a ball since undergoing cruciate surgery last season.
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Lloyd Kelly’s January exit reduced Newcastle’s defensive options, but the £20m deal agreed with Juventus has helped ensure the Magpies have much greater leeway to spend this summer and remain within the Premier League’s PSR parameters than in previous windows.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been heavily linked with Huijsen, who is a Spain Under-21 international, in recent weeks, and the Newcastle hierarchy accept they will face intense competition as they attempt to persuade the teenager to move to St James’ Park.
Qualifying for the Champions League would help, although Newcastle officials will hope the prospect of Huijsen quickly cementing a first-team spot on Tyneside will play in their favour. Eddie Howe’s long-standing links with Bournemouth could also be a factor in trying to set up a move.